Michael Phelps’ “little brother” Chase Kalisz won America’s first gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in Men’s Swimming’s 400-meter individual medley.
Kalisz told CBS, “I’m happy to be here and kick the U.S. off.”
Kalisz was the first U.S. medal winner of the Tokyo Games, and Jay Litherland, who was born in Osaka, Japan, made it a 1-2 finish for the Americans by rallying on the freestyle leg to claim the silver. Brendon Smith of Australia earned the bronze.
The Americans certainly had no complaints about their opening-day performance.
“A pretty good start for the U.S.,” said Kieran Smith, who in his first major international meet snagged a bronze in the men’s 400 freestyle. “We executed today. I’m really proud of us.”
Host Japan won a swimming gold, Tunisia claimed a spot atop the medal podium, and the Australian women set the first world record of the competition in the 4×100 freestyle relay.