TOKYO — It took about 48 minutes for Team USA's fortunes at the Tokyo Games to change Sunday – less than one hour for Olympic famine to become feast.
American swimmers Chase Kalisz and Jay Litherland won the first two medals at around 10:38 a.m. local time – gold and silver, respectively, in the men's 400-meter individual medley. Then bronze for Kieran Smith in the men's 400 freestyle.
By the time Emma Weyant and Hali Flickinger climbed out of the pool after finishing second and third in the women's 400-meter individual medley, Team USA's zero medals had become five – a harbinger of the afternoon and evening to come.