USA expected to reach milestone in Rio with 1,000th Summer Olympics gold medal
RIO DE JANEIRO — Sometime during these Games, the Americans are almost guaranteed to hit a milestone – their 1,000th Summer Olympics gold medal.
Surprisingly, just how close they are isn’t quite settled, so it’s difficult to predict when the record might be reached.
Olympic historian Bill Mallon has the count at 976, while Gracenote Sports, which compiles entertainment and sports data, has the count at 977.
Mallon said he’s seen the data to compare, and the dispute goes back to 1904. During those Games, gymnast Julius Lenhart competed for a U.S. club and won an all-around gold medal and helped win a team gold.
One problem for Mallon – Lenhart was Austrian.
Mallon doesn’t credit either of the medals Lenhart was a part of, giving him the total of 976.
“I could concede 977, but not 978,” he said.
The Americans start the Rio Games with artistic gymnastics and swimming, where they are expected to win several events.
Gracenote projects the United States to win 38 gold medals, so the 1,000th could come early next week as track and field gets started.
“I think what it means is just a great sporting culture and a really amazing system of sport in our country,” said Alan Ashley, the U.S. Olympic Committee’s chief of sport performance. “It’s different than other places in the world, but it’s been a really major contributor to our culture and to our country. It is very exciting to think of it in those terms and to realize that we’re on the doorstep of that amazing achievement.”
No matter whether the Americans reach the mark or not, their lead in the all-time gold medal count is secure. They have nearly a 600-medal lead over the Soviet Union.
PHOTOS: IMAGES FROM DAY 1 OF RIO OLYMPICS