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Rio de Janeiro • Tianna Bartoletta reflected on her first Olympic title and a rush of American medals and gave it a catchy name: "awesome hour."

In a span of about 60 minutes Wednesday night, the Americans hauled in a bevy of medals: Going 1-2 in the long jump, Tori Bowie capturing a bronze in the 200 and the U.S. team sweeping the medals in the 100-meter hurdles — a feat that's never been accomplished in the event.

A banner night, for sure. The nation entered the night with 13 medals and left the track with a total of 19, including five golds.

"It's been a good night," long jump winner Bartoletta said. "It was an awesome hour."

Bartoletta kicked it off by unseating defending Olympic champion Brittney Reese in the long jump. Moments later, Bowie won her second medal in Rio by taking bronze in the 200 meters. Not long after that, Brianna Rollins, Nia Ali and Kristi Castlin accomplished some history by finishing 1-2-3 in the hurdles.

"It's a relief. There has been such a lot of anticipation," Rollins said. "I have younger brothers and as the oldest I like to lead by example — even from far away."

Decathlete Ashton Eaton is a candidate to add to the American medal haul. The defending champion finished Day 1 with a solid 121-point lead over Kai Kazmirek of Germany.

To think, the evening got off on the wrong foot when Justin Gatlin surprisingly went out in the semifinals of the 200.

There went a good shot at an Olympic medal. There went another showdown with Usain Bolt.

An ankle injury hampered the 34-year-old Gatlin, who won a silver medal Sunday in the 100.

"For me, it has been an honor to be able to come out here," Gatlin said. "At the end of the day, seeing all of these young guys and young ladies out here doing a great job, it's an honor to be able to be a part of the team and run for my country."

Earlier in the day, Evan Jager earned silver in the 3,000-meter steeplechase — America's first medal in that event since 1984.

A wild Wednesday night in track began with Jamaican star Usain Bolt smiling, then wagging his finger at a brash up-and-comer in the 200-meter semifinals. It kept going with another Jamaican, Elaine Thompson, completing the first 100-200 women's double since 1988.

The 24-year-old Jamaican got off to a strong start and held off reigning world champion Dafne Schippers, who belly flopped at the finish line, but finished .10 seconds behind.

Thompson became the first woman since Marion Jones in 2000 to win both Olympic sprints. Jones' records have since been stripped, so Thompson goes in the record book in place of Florence Griffith-Joyner, who starred in the Seoul Games in 1988.

The evening's most entertaining theatre came, as usual, from Bolt, who will go for his eighth Olympic gold medal Thursday.

His main goal during the opening rounds is to conserve energy, which is exactly what he was doing when he looked to his right, saw Canada's Andre de Grasse a few steps behind and put it on cruise control.

Only problem was, de Grasse didn't back down. He sped up, caught up and, suddenly, the two were nose to nose, smiling at each other down the stretch. Bolt finished in 19.78 to win by a scant .02 seconds. He wagged his finger at the up-and-comer as they crossed the line.

"That was really unnecessary," Bolt said. "I don't know what he was trying to do. He's a young kid, he's great. He has a lot of talent. I'm looking forward to the competition in the final."