The USA has been historically bad at some track and field events
The USA has dominated the Olympic medals table in track and field, claiming three times more medals and more gold medals than any other country (the USA has 764 total medals, 324 gold, 244 silver and 196 bronze).
But the dominance has not been across the board, and in some events the USA is downright pedestrian, especially in the race-walking events.
Some notable droughts:
108 years ...
Men's 1,500: Leo Manzano ended a 40-year medal drought in London (Jim Ryun took silver in 1972), sprinting home in the final straight to claim silver. The last gold in the 1,500 came in 1908, Mel Sheppard. Can the USA end the drought? Improbable, but Matt Centrowitz, the reigning world indoor champ and a two-time outdoor world championships medalist, should contend for a medal.
64 years ...
Men's 3,000 steeplechase: The last gold medalist was Horace Ashenfelter in 1952; the last medalist was Brian Diemer in 1984. Can the USA end the drought? Improbable in an event dominated by Kenyans, but if things break right, perhaps Evan Jager can be in contention.
44 years ...
Men's 800: The last gold medalist was Dave Wottle in 1972 — dead last after 500 meters — who tracked down two Kenyans and the favorite, Evegni Arzhanov of the Soviet Union, in the final strides. The last medal was Johnny Gray's bronze in 1992. Can the USA end the drought? Again improbable. The reigning champ, David Rudisha, returns. The 2012 edition was perhaps the greatest 800 ever run, with Rudisha's world record (1:40.91) plus three national records, and seven of the eight finalists each set personal bests. But Boris Berian, the world indoor champ, and Clayton Murphy, will hope to medal.
28 years ...
Women's high jump: The last gold medalist was Louise Ritter in 1988; the last medalist was Brigetta Barrett in 2012. Can the USA end the drought? Excellent chance, starting with American recordholder and U.S. champ Chaunte Lowe, who has the best jump in the world this year at 2.01 meters (6 feet, 7 inches). There also is 18-year-old Vashti Cunningham, the reigning world indoor champ.
*Forever ...
*Forever is somewhat deceiving, because some of these events are very new to the Olympic program, but still.
Women's 1,500 (made its Olympic debut in 1972): Not only has the USA never won gold, there have been no medals of any color. Can the USA end the drought? For gold, improbable, but for a medal, perhaps. Jenny Simpson, the 2011 world champion is a great racer, and Shannon Rowbury is the American recordholder.
Women's 3,000 steeplechase (made its Olympic debut in 2008): Only two cracks at it and no medals, so calling it a drought is an exaggeration, obviously. Can the USA end the drought? We put it here, frankly, because we think Emma Coburn, who is the third-fastest woman in the world this year, can get on the medal stand.
Women's 400 hurdles (made its Olympic debut in 1984): Americans have won plenty of medals — including a silver for Lashinda Demus in 2012 — alas never a gold. Somewhat surprising given the depth in the USA in hurdles and at 400. Can the USA end the drought? Absolutely, and it could be multiple medals. Dalilah Muhammad ran 52.88, the first sub-53 since 2013, to win the U.S. trials. Ashley Spencer should be in contention for a medal. And, heck, keep an eye on Sydney McLaughlin, who turned 17 on Aug. 7.
Here is the full list of each event and the last gold, overall medal for the USA:
100 meters
Gold
Men: 2004, Justin Gatlin
Women: 1996*, Gail Devers
Medal
Men: 2012, bronze, Gatlin
Women: 2012, silver, Carmelita Jeter
*Marion Jones’ gold from 2000 was vacated after she admitted to doping
200
Gold
Men: 2004, Shawn Crawford
Women: 2012, Allyson Felix
Medal
Men: 2008, silver, Crawford
Women: 2012, gold, Felix
400
Gold
Men: 2008, LaShawn Merritt
Women: 2012, Sanya Richards-Ross
Medal
Men: 2008, gold, Merritt
Women: 2012, gold, Richards-Ross
800
Gold
Men: 1972, Dave Wottle
Women: 1968, Madeline Manning
Medal
Men: 1992, bronze, Johnny Gray
Women: 1988, bronze, Kim Gallagher
1,500
Gold
Men: 1908, Mel Sheppard
*Women: Never
Medal
Men: 2012, silver, Leo Manzano
Women: Never
*The 1,500 made its Olympic debut for women in 1972
3,000 steeplechase
Gold
Men: 1952, Horace Ashenfelter
*Women: Never
Medal
Men: 1984, bronze, Brian Diemer
Women: Never
*The 3,000 steeplechase made its Olympic debut for women in 2008
5,000
Gold
Men: 1964, Bob Schul
*Women: Never
Medal
Men: 1964, gold, Schul
Women: Never
*The 5,000 made its Olympic debut for women in 1996
10,000
Gold
Men: 1964, Billy Mills
*Women: Never
Medal
Men: 2012, silver, Galen Rupp
Women: 2008, bronze, Shalane Flanagan
*The 10,000 made its Olympic debut for women in 1988
110/100 hurdles
Gold
Men: 2012, Aries Merritt
*Women: 2008, Dawn Harper
Medal
Men: 2012, gold, Merritt
Women: 2012, silver, Harper
*The 100 hurdles made its Olympic debut for women in 1972
400 hurdles
Gold
Men: 2008, Angelo Taylor
*Women: Never
Medal
Men: 2012, silver, Michael Tinsley
Women: 2012, silver, Lashinda Demus
*The 400 hurdles made its Olympic debut for women in 1984
Marathon
Gold
Men: 1972, Frank Shorter
*Women: 1984, Joan Benoit
Medal
Men: 2004, silver, Meb Keflezighi
Women: 2004, bronze, Deena Kastor
*The marathon made its Olympic debut for women in 1984
Long jump
Gold
Men: 2004, Dwight Phillips
Women: 2012, Brittney Reese
Medal
Men: 2012, bronze, Will Claye
Women: 2012, gold, Reese
*The long jump made its Olympic debut for women in 1948
Triple jump
Gold
Men: 2012, Christian Taylor
Women: Never
Medal
Men: 2012, gold, Taylor
Women: Never
*The triple jump made its Olympic debut for women in 1996
High jump
Gold
Men: 1996, Charles Austin
Women: 1988, Louise Ritter
Medal
Men: 2012, silver, Erik Kynard
Women: 2012, Silver, Brigetta Barrett
Pole Vault
Gold
Men: 2004, Tim Mack
Women: 2012, Jenn Suhr
Medal
Men: 2004, gold, Mack
Women: 2012, gold, Suhr
*The pole vault made its Olympic debut for women in 2000
Shot put
Gold
Men: 2004, Adam Nelson
*Women: Never
Medal
Men: 2012, bronze, Reese Hoffa
Women: 1960, bronze, Earlene Brown
*The shot put made its Olympic debut for women in 1948
Discus
Gold
Men: 1976, Mac Wilkins
Women: 2008, Stephanie Brown Trafton
Medal
Men: 1984, silver, Wilkins
Women: 2008, gold, Brown Trafton
Hammer
Gold
Men: 1956, Harold Connolly
*Women: Never
Medal
Men: 1996, silver, Lance Deal
Women: Never
*The hammer throw made its Olympic debut for women in 2000
Javelin
Gold
Men: 1952, Cy Young
Women: 1932, Babe Didrikson
Medal
Men: 1972, bronze, Bill Schmidt
Women: 1976, bronze, Kate Schmidt
Decathlon/heptathlon
Gold
Men (decathlon): 2012, Ashton Eaton
*Women (heptathlon): 1992, Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Medal
Men: 2012, gold, Eaton
Women: 2008, silver, Hyleas Fountain
*The heptathlon made its Olympic debut for women in 1984
Sources: USA Track and Field
BEST IMAGES FROM AUG. 11 AT THE OLYMPICS