CHASE Kalisz got things rolling, claiming the first U.S. gold at the Olympic pool. By the time the morning was done, the powerhouse team had a whole bunch of medals.
Six of them in all, quite a start Sunday for the Americans in the post-Michael Phelps era.
“I’m happy to be here and kick the U.S. off,” said Kalisz, who won the 400-meter individual medley.
There was room for others to shine, as well.
Host Japan won a swimming gold, Tunisia claimed a surprising spot atop the medal podium, and the mighty Australian women set the first world record of the competition in the 4×100 freestyle relay.
The Americans certainly had no complaints about their opening-day performance. In Phelps’ record-setting career, which encompassed five Summer Games, they never won six medals in the first session of finals.
“A pretty good start for the U.S.,” said Kieran Smith, who in his
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