21.   It would have been the first U.S. medal in the event.

22.   It was the first such medal ever for a US skier.

23.   Last Wednesday when Street won her first Olympic gold medal in the super giant slalom, Seizinger finished sixth.

24.   Nigeria also got its first Olympic medal ever from a woman in these Olympics.

25.   Poland also won its first medal in pairs at a world championships when Dorota Zagorska and Mariusz Siudek took the bronze.

26.   Right behind the first medal of the Winter Games comes the first whine.

27.   Rodolfo Falcon and Neisser Bent, both of Cuba, took the silver and bronze medals, the first medals by the country in Olympic swimming.

28.   Remember, the Yanks had the talent and trained well enough four years ago to win their first team gold medal.

29.   SALT LAKE CITY - It was the sport in which the U.S. figured to earn its first medal, not just the skier who figured.

30.   So the US has to be collectively sighing in relief with its first medals under its hat.