Washington-area athletes are crushing it in Rio de Janeiro right now, thanks to suburban Maryland’s uncanny knack for producing human sharks, and the surprise victory of a 19-year-old shooter from Virginia. As of the end of Day 2, all three gold medals the United States has won belong to athletes from DC and the surrounding area. Fairfax County’s Ginny Thrasher lived up to her aggressive name on Day 1, claiming the first gold medal awarded at the Olympics in the 10 meter air rifle competition, upsetting a favored two-time gold medalist from China.
On Day 2, it was all swimming: Bethesda resident Katie Ledecky blew away her own world record in the 400-meter freestyle, and Baltimore native Michael Phelps led the US men to gold in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay.
In addition to the three gold medals, local swimmers also have two silver medals. Swimmer Chase Kalisz of Bel Air, Maryland, finished second in the men’s 400-meterm individual medley. The female American swimmers, led by Ledecky, also nabbed a silver in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay.
Including the silver medals, DC-area athletes are responsible for five of Team USA’s 12 medals so far. Between Ledecky and Phelps alone, the golds are expected to continue piling up.
For all your local-heroes-in-Rio needs, here’s a full list of DC area Olympians.
