Maryland Athletes Dominating Rio Olympics
By Joe Serpico
Maryland natives Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky are the darlings of the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Jousting and lacrosse are the official sports of Maryland. They might want to consider making swimming the third official sport (or get rid of jousting) in honor of the Maryland athletes dominating the Rio Olympics.
Michael Phelps continues to shatter the record for career Olympic medals, adding three more golds to his resume, and Katie Ledecky has won two golds and a silver thus far.
The Maryland duo have dominated the pool. Ledecky broke her own world record to win gold in the women’s 400-meter freestyle, while Phelps stared down his dancing opponents before leaving them in his wake.
Marylanders are proud of their world-class athletes. Everywhere you go, everyone stops when Phelps or Ledecky enter the pool. There are loud roars after wins and you can see and hear the excitement in people’s voices. We are a state that is not only proud to be American, but the home of the greatest athlete of all time.
There was a special moment when Phelps was on the podium during his 200-meter butterfly and broke out into laughter when someone shouted “O” during the national anthem. Those of us from Baltimore know exactly what happened there.
"“My boys from Baltimore were down on the other end, and back in Maryland, we all say “O!” for the Orioles during that part of the National Anthem. And all of the sudden I hear them roar “O!” and I knew exactly where I came from, and I just lost it because those guys came down from Baltimore and New York City to be here, and it’s just special to see those guys in the stands.”"
Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, will compete in two more events, the 200-meter individual medley and the 100-meter butterfly. He currently has 21 gold medals to his credit, 12 more golds than any other Olympic athlete, and can still add two more to his mantel. It’s time to start the discussion of Phelps being not only the best Olympian, but the best athlete the world has ever seen.
Ledecky will compete in the women’s 800-meter freestyle, and if her other freestyle events are any indication of how she will do, another gold medal could be coming back to Maryland. She won gold in the 800-meter freestyle at the 2012 London Olympics.
Team USA has won 10 gold, eight silver and nine bronze medals for 27 total medals, the most of any country at the Olympics. China is second with 17 total medals, eight of which are gold.
Next: Maryland Sends 11 Athletes to Rio
At this point in the 2016 Rio Olympics Games, there are more gold medals coming back to Maryland than every country but China. The rest of the world needs to step their game up.