United States at the 2008 Summer Olympics

United States at the
2008 Summer Olympics
Flag of the United States
IOC codeUSA
NOCUnited States Olympic Committee
in Beijing
Competitors588 (306 men and 282 women) in 32[2] sports
Flag bearers Lopez Lomong[1] (opening)
Khatuna Lorig (closing)
Medals
Ranked 2nd
Gold
36
Silver
39
Bronze
37
Total
112
Summer Olympics appearances (overview)
Other related appearances
1906 Intercalated Games

The United States of America (USA), represented by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. U.S. athletes have competed in every Summer Olympic Games in the modern era, except the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, which was boycotted by the American team and 65 other countries in protest of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The USOC sent a total of 588 athletes to Beijing (310 men and 286 women), and competed in all Olympic sports except handball.[2][3]

The USOC selected San Jose State University in San Jose, California, as the primary processing center for all Team USA members headed for Beijing 2008.[4] They flew into San Jose via San Jose International Airport or San Francisco International Airport for at least two days of document checks, health examinations, cultural briefings, portrait sittings, uniform fittings, and last-minute workout sessions.[5]

The U.S. did not win the most gold medals for the first time in a Summer Games since 1992, with China being the country that won the most golds (48–36). The United States never led the medal table during the games.[6] However, the U.S. won its most medals ever (112) in a games not held on home soil, had the highest total medal count, and won more silver and bronze medals than any other participating nation.[7] This games also saw a gold medal record for U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps, who won 8 golds surpassing Mark Spitz's record of 7 golds in a single Olympic event in 1972.[8] Phelps also surpassed Spitz, Larisa Latynina of the USSR, Paavo Nurmi of Finland, and U.S. sprinter Carl Lewis to become the current record holder for the most Olympic gold medals (14).[9]

The United States also saw milestones in women's swimming. Natalie Coughlin won 6 medals in Beijing, the most for a female Olympic swimmer.[10] Dara Torres, who won 3 silver medals after her eight-year absence, became the oldest Olympic swimmer to win a medal, at age 41.[11]

Gymnast Nastia Liukin became the third U.S. female to win a gold medal in individual all-around event.[12] It was also a successful Olympics for U.S. team-based sports, as men's and women's basketball teams both won gold, as did men's volleyball, men and women's beach volleyball, women's soccer, women's eight in rowing, and the men's and women's 4 × 400 meter-relay teams.[13] The US won silver and bronze medals in several other team events; women's volleyball, softball, baseball, both men's and women's team gymnastics, men's fencing sabre team, women's fencing foil team, and both men's and women's water polo.

  1. ^ Hersh, Philip (August 7, 2008). "Lopez Lomong chosen as American flag bearer at Beijing Olympics". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 12, 2008. Retrieved September 10, 2008.
  2. ^ a b "2008 United States Olympic Team Entered Into XXIX Olympic Games in Beijing". USOC. July 24, 2008. Archived from the original on May 3, 2009. Retrieved September 10, 2008.
  3. ^ Fei, Liena (June 20, 2008). "Global athletes chase Olympic dream". Xinhua News Agency. Archived from the original on June 26, 2008. Retrieved September 10, 2008.
  4. ^ Shinn, Peggy (July 29, 2008). "Like Freshman Orientation, Only Better!". USOC. Archived from the original on August 9, 2008. Retrieved August 10, 2008.
  5. ^ "SJSU Hosts Olympians". San José State University. June 12, 2008. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2008.
  6. ^ Michaelis, Vicki (August 25, 2008). "USA wins kudos for effort, style". USA Today. p. 2D. Retrieved September 23, 2008.
  7. ^ Crumpacker, John (August 25, 2008). "Beijing 2008 U.S. or China, take your pick – each dominated in its own way". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved September 10, 2008.
  8. ^ "Phelps claims Olympic-record eighth gold medal with relay win". Sports Illustrated. August 17, 2008. Archived from the original on April 12, 2010. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  9. ^ "Phelps sets world marks, becomes winningest Olympic athlete". espn.com. August 13, 2008. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  10. ^ "Coughlin's six medals most by U.S. woman". nbcolympics.com. August 17, 2008. Archived from the original on August 24, 2008. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  11. ^ Clarey, Christopher (August 10, 2008). "With Silver, Torres Sets Age Record for Medalist". The New York Times. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  12. ^ Business Wire (August 28, 2008). "Wheaties Honors Newest American Champions Nastia Liukin and Bryan Clay". Reuters. Archived from the original on February 12, 2009. Retrieved September 10, 2008. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  13. ^ "A "Truly Exceptional" Olympic Games". USOC. August 26, 2008. Archived from the original on September 9, 2008. Retrieved September 10, 2008.