The United States has its first Olympic gold medal in track and field, thanks to Michelle Carter.
Carter won the shot put competition with a throw of 20.63 meters on her final attempt, surpassing New Zealand’s Valerie Adams (20.42 meters, a season best for her). While Adams’ longest attempt came on her second putting of the shot, Carter couldn’t get over the 20 meter hump until her final attempt. And that proved to be good enough to earn her first Olympic gold medal.
Carter also competed in the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics, finishing 15th in the shot put in Beijing and fifth in London.