Justin Bullock, FISM News
Lydia Jacoby, a 17 year old from Seward, Alaska, became the first Alaskan to win an Olympic gold medal in swimming, in a stunning upset in the 100 meter breaststroke on Monday night. Jacoby knocked off fellow American and defending gold medalist Lilly King who was favored to win the event. King would go on to take the bronze medal after being barely out-touched by South Africa’s Tatjana Schoenmaker. All three swimmers were within half a second of each other resulting in an incredible display.
ELECTRIC.
Relive the moment Lydia Jacoby's friends and family cheered her on to GOLD from Seward, Alaska. #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/jjLWAlaljy
— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) July 27, 2021
Outside of the pool and in other Olympic firsts, the countries of Bermuda and the Philippines gained their first Olympic gold medals in their countries’ respective histories on Monday. Flora Duffy won the gold in the women’s triathlon for Bermuda and Hidilyn Diaz secured the first gold for the Philippines in weightlifting. With Duffy’s win Bermuda becomes the smallest nation in the world to win a gold medal. For Diaz, her achievement culminates an effort of almost 100 years by the Philippines to bring home the gold. The Philippines first sent athletes to the Olympics in the 1924 games. In both cases the victories were extremely emotional and were the result of the best of Olympic competition.