Team USA still faces long-standing Olympic medal droughts — notably women's figure skating (no medal since 2006). For bettors, that suggests caution on U.S. futures in those events: consider value markets in sprinting and swimming where recent podiums are likelier, but avoid overpaying for U.S. gold in women's figure skating or men's hammer throw until depth and contenders improve.
Team USA's Longest Olympic Medal Droughts — A 2024 Reality Check
Team USA enters the next Olympic cycle with glaring gaps in its medal ledger. While the U.S. remains dominant in many disciplines, several marquee events have gone years — even decades — without American Olympic hardware. Paris 2024 offered flashes of promise but few breakthroughs in these specific events.
Where the droughts persist
Women's 100 meters — 28 years without an American winner
Gail Devers was the last American woman to win Olympic 100m gold (1996); Marion Jones’ 2000 title was later vacated. Paris produced Julien Alfred in gold, with Sha'Carri Richardson taking silver and Melissa Jefferson bronze. The U.S. remains competitive for medals, but the gold drought stretches back to 1996, which should temper expectations for futures markets.
Men's hammer throw — no American medal since 1996
The last U.S. man to podium in hammer was Lance Deal (silver, 1996). Paris saw Rudy Winkler finish sixth while Ethan Katzberg of Canada claimed gold. The event remains dominated by non-U.S. throwers, suggesting bettors should be cautious backing U.S. hammer throwers in medal markets until a consistent contender emerges.
Men's 400m freestyle — four decades since American gold
George DiCarlo's Olympic record swim delivered U.S. gold in 1984; no American has topped the podium since. In Paris, Germany’s Lukas Märtens won gold, and the top American finalist finished outside the medals. The 40-year gap underlines a long-term weakness in this middle-distance pool event for the U.S.
Women's 200m individual medley — podiums but no gold since 1984
Janet Evans was the last American to claim Olympic gold in the 200m IM (1984). Paris produced an Olympic-record-winning performance from Summer McIntosh, with American Katie Douglass taking silver (2:06.92). While the U.S. is collecting swimming medals overall, specific events like the 200 IM still see foreign swimmers edging American chances for gold.
Women's figure skating — no U.S. medal since 2006
The United States has the most historical Olympic golds in women's figure skating, but its last medal came in 2006 (Sasha Cohen, silver). Over the past 18 years, medals have increasingly gone to Russia, South Korea, Japan, Canada and Italy. Until clear American contenders materialize, futures bettors should treat U.S. chances in women's figure skating as risky.
Implications for Team USA and bettors
These droughts highlight events where the U.S. needs generational talent or program rebuilds to return to the top. For punters, short-term value is more likely in events where recent podiums indicate depth (select sprint and swimming markets), while long-term futures on U.S. gold in women's figure skating, men's hammer throw and certain swimming distances carry higher risk unless clear contenders emerge.
Why Do the Winter Olympics Start Days Before Opening Ceremony?
Though the U.S. excelled at the 2024 Paris Games, there are medal droughts that still need to be broken during upcoming Olympic cycles.
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