Halfway into the Olympic Games, Americans already have huge cause to be proud — and to salute some truly super athletes.
Gabrielle “Gabby” Douglas: The 16-year-old, 4’11” “Flying Squirrel” finished the week with gold medals in both the individual and team all-around routines.
She’s the first African-American woman to win the individual event and the first US gymnast to claim gold in both team and individual all-around categories.
Plus, her endearing humility and pre-event religious tweets have made her a darling to millions.
Missy Franklin: The 17-year-old swimming phenom from Aurora, Colo., raked in three gold medals this week, including a record-setting race in the 200-meter backstroke. In a heartwarming gesture, Franklin dedicated her Olympic wins to her home state, ravaged by summer forest fires and struggling to heal after the horrifying movie-theater massacre.
Lia Neal: Brooklyn’s 17-year-old swimming sensation (whose brother Rome is a Web editor for The Post) took home a bronze in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay. She’s only the second African-American to qualify for the US Olympic swim team. She’s also launched a nonprofit campaign, “SwimBrooklyn,” to teach kids to swim.
Michael Phelps: Recently crowned “The Greatest Olympian of All-Time,” the 27-year-old emerged by week’s end with five more swimming medals, three of them gold. His four-Olympics career total sits at a record 21 medals, including 17 gold.
For athletes and couch potatoes alike, these accomplishments — and their individual journeys of hard work and sacrifice — are testaments to the enduring power of the American Dream. Let’s hope the second week is just as good. Go USA!