medal count

Was This Olympics the Longest the US Has Ever Taken to Win a Gold Medal?

After five days of competition without no gold-winning performances, Team USA finally won a gold medal.

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Lindsey Jacobellis slid to victory in the women's snowboard cross, putting an end to Team USA's 5-day gold-less streak at the Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Snowboarder Julia Marino won the United States’ first medal on Saturday, but it was not gold. Madison Chock and Evan Bates added another silver medal to the team's count after their stunning galactic-themed ice dance Sunday night.

Jaelin Kauf won the Olympic silver behind Australia's Jakara Anthony during the women's moguls finals, and Ryan Cochran-Siegle clinched another silver medal, adding to the USA's total count, in men's super-G, on Tuesday.

Jessie Diggins secured the fifth medal for Team USA - the bronze in women's individual sprint, cross-country skiing. She made history here, becoming the first American to win a medal in the cross-country skiing individual sprint event.

The U.S. endured five days of grueling competition - with some disappointing upsets - to finally bring home a gold medal. But was this the longest the team has ever taken to do so? Nope.

How long has the U.S. gone without winning a gold medal in the Winter Olympics?

The longest streak for Team USA to not win a gold medal during the Winter Olympics goes back decades.

At the 1939 Winter Olympic Games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, Ivan Brown and Alan “Bob” Washbond won the gold medal for two-man bobsled after nine gold-less days for Team USA, according to the International Sports Heritage Association.

Then, in the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics, the United States competed for seven days before winning a gold medal.

Ice skater Brian Boitano defeated Canadian Brian Orser for the gold medal in the iconic “Battle of the Brians,” in what many call one of the greatest Olympic rivalries of all time.


The U.S. took 5 days to add a gold medal to its tally at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games. See how this year's streak compares to previous Games - and if Team USA beat the longest record.


When will the U.S. win a gold medal in Beijing?

After five days of competition without no gold-winning performances, Team USA finally won a gold medal.

Although some events are finished, the U.S. still has a good chance to win more gold medals.

  • Figure skating: Men's free skate 
  • Snowboarding: Women's cross and women's halfpipe 
  • Hockey: Men's and women (team) 
  • Curling: Men's and women's (team)
  • Alpine Skiing: Women's slalom

Click here for a complete schedule of events and how to watch them.

How many gold medals does Team USA have?

As of Wednesday morning, the United States won one gold medal in the Beijing Olympics.

Since the first Winter Olympic Games in Chamonix in 1924, the U.S. has won 106 gold medals in competition, according to the National Olympic Committee.  

Click here to track Team USA’s latest medal count in the 2022 Winter Olympics.

How many medals do other countries have?

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