Top 5 Recap: Day 1 at 2012 London Olympic Games
August 3, 2012 | London, UK

Day 1 Full Results | Photos

1. Jessica Ennis WR in Heptathlon 100H


Jessica Ennis started day 1 off with a bang as she shattered the heptathlon world record in the 100m hurdles with a time of 12.54 seconds! The time earned her 1195 points in the heptathlon competition and a spot in the running for a medal in the open 100 hurdles. Her time of 12.54 now puts her #3 in the world with only Sally Pearson and Bridgette Foster-Hylton ahead of her!

Women's Heptathlon Updates/Recap


2. Dibaba dominate 10k, 3 American PRs

Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia established her dominance in the women's 10k yet again with another gold medal in the event!  No one could touch her as she took off with the bell and put thirty meters on Sally Kipyego and Vivian Cheriuyot almost instantly. Dibaba came through the home stretch with a smile on her face as she claimed her second Olympic 10k win in a time of 30:20 followed by Kipyego (30:26) and Cheriuyot (30:30). Dibaba is the first woman to ever repeat Olympic gold in the 10k. Americans Amy Hastings, Janet Bawcom, and Lisa Uhl also had stellar performances as each finished together in 11th, 12th, and 13th with personal bests. 

Women's 10k Updates/Recap


3. All Americans thru to 1500 Semi-Final


The men's 1500 qualifying rounds were a success for the Americans as all three men qualified for the semi-final in their heats. Leo Manzano started the charge with a 6th place finish in heat 1 with a time of 3:37.00.  Andy Wheating's fate was more uncertain as he finished 7th in heat 2 but was able to advance on time. Matt Centrowitz earned his spot in heat 3 with a 5th place finish in 3:41.39.  Of all the heats, both Asbel Kiprop and Nick Willis looked smooth and confident. 

Note: Nixon Chepseba of Kenya finish outside of qualifying but has been put through to the semi-final, while Moroccan athlete Amine Laalou test positive for doping and missed the first round all together (read more here).

Men's 1500 Updates/Recap


4. US Shot Put has a rough day


The US men's shot putters performed under expectations with only Reese Hoffa being able to sneak onto the podium for the bronze with a throw of 21.23m, while Christian Cantwell finished 4th and Ryan Whiting ended up finishing 9th overall.  Both Cantwell and Hoffa had throw over 22 meters, a mark that would have one gold today. This was only the 4th in Olympic history that the US did not earn at least one silver medal in the shot put (read more here).

Men's Shot Put Recaps/Updates 


5. Evan Jager, the US's best distance medal hope?

The men's steeplechase preliminary heats proved that Evan Jager is no joke when it comes to racing with the best. Jager finished 2nd in heat 1 just behind France's Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad in a time of 8:16.61. The time is the American record holder's second fastest time ever for the event and don't forget he's only run it six times! Recent college grad Donn Cabral of the USA also joins Jager in the final. Be sure to keep an eye on Jager come Sunday! 

Men's Steeplechase Updates/Recap

Note: The Frenchman was the silver medalist at the 2008 Olympics and he hates mascots.