Team USA have got off the mark at the Tokyo Olympics as Chase Kalisz took the first gold medal on offer in the pool.
The 27-year-old - silver medallist in Rio - held off a late challenge in the final 50m of the men's 400m individual medley to claim the first medal for the US in Japan.
Teammate Jay Litherland joined him on the podium with the silver medal, 0.86s back from the winning time of 4:09.42, and managed to hold off Australian newcomer Brendon Smith, who earned bronze on his debut.
Speaking to NBC straight after his victory, Kalisz said: "It means the world. This is the last thing I've really wanted to accomplish in my swimming career. It was something that was a dream of mine as since as I can remember. I really can't believe it."
Team GB's Max Litchfield produced a late flourish in the final length to put himself in contention but had to settle for fourth place, matching his finish from Rio.
> Tokyo 2020: Medal table in full
Neil Wilkes
