High Hopes For U.S. Distance Olympians

By Duncan Larkin
Published Jul. 31, 2012
Updated Jul. 31, 2012 at 10:01 AM UTC

Shalane Flanagan medaled in the 10,000m at the Beijing Games. Can she do the same at the marathon in London? Photo: PhotoRun.net

Can Team USA win more medals than it did in 2008?

London will host the Olympics for a record third time, and the 2012 U.S. Olympic distance team - led by two-time Olympic 1500 meter medalist Bernard Lagat, 2004 Olympic Marathon silver medalist Meb Keflezighi and 2008 Olympic 10,000m bronze medalist Shalane Flanagan – is perhaps the deepest ever for the Games. The London team has plenty of veterans, including the above, such as past Olympians Abdi Abdirahman (fourth team), Dathan Ritzenhein (third team), Galen Rupp (second team),Ryan Hall (second), Kara Goucher (second), Matt Tegenkamp (second), Jenny Simpson (second), Andrew Wheating (second),Shannon Rowbury (second), Leo Manzano (second) and Lopez Lomong (second) and rising star and new U.S. steeplechase record holder Evan Jager.

In Athens 2004, the Team USA won two Olympic Marathon medals – Keflezighi’s silver and Deena Kastor’s bronze, while in Beijing 2008, Flanagan earned a 10,000 meter bronze medal and U.S. record, and in London, it would be a surprise if the U.S. distance team didn’t win at least one medal as well as contend for several podium places.

The track & field competition – held in Olympic Stadium - starts on Friday, August 3 (the women’s 10,000 meters is the first track final) and ends Sunday, August 12 (the men’s marathon is the final event).

The following pages include the 2012 U.S. Olympic distance team from 1,500 meter through the marathon and event summary for the Summer Games hosted by London, Great Britain.

FILED UNDER: News / Olympic Games TAGS: Amy Hastings / Bernard Lagat / Dathan Ritzenhein / Galen Rupp / Jenny Simpson / Kara Goucher / Matt Tegenkamp / Meb Keflezighi / Morgan Uceny / Olympic Games / Shalane Flanagan

Duncan Larkin

Duncan Larkin is the news editor at Competitor.com and a freelance journalist who’s been covering the sport of running for over five years. He’s run 2:32 in the marathon and won the Himalayan 100-Mile Stage Race in 2007. His first running book, RUN SIMPLE, was released last July.