Day of Olympic firsts for Team USA

Gabrielle Douglas and Michael Phelps Thursday / Getty Images

(CBS News) LONDON - President Obama cheered on the home team Thursday, 4,000 miles away from London's Olympic Park.

He and a crowd chanted "USA, USA" as the president took a break from campaigning in Leesburg to cheer on Virginia's golden gymnast, Gabby Douglas.

The 16-year-old helped mark a day of firsts on the mat and across Team USA.

She scored gold for the women's "all-around title" - gymnastics' biggest honor.

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Gold medal winner Gabby Douglas

Douglas's win changed history. She's the first African-American to earn the prize.

"It means so much," she said. "All the hard work... If you push through the hard days, then you can get through anything."

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Michael Phelps pushed through in the pool, winning gold in the 200 meter individual medley.

He's now the first male swimmer to win the same event at three consecutive Olympics.

It was the fourth medal from these Games for the teary-eyed star, and the 20th of his career, adding to his all-time record for most medals.

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Michael Phelps

"Nothing's changed," he insisted. "I'm still the same person coming here, loving to race, and loving to have fun."

But Phelps' win was Ryan Lochte's loss. The Florida native took silver and no longer holds the world record. His second-place finish was his last event in London.

"You know, it's been a long journey, but for the most part, I'm happy," Lochte reflected. "I can't complain over getting five Olympic medals bringing back to my country. ... And at the same time, you know what? I am happy that I'm done. I get to actually take a deep breath and just relax now."

Friday is his birthday, after all, and Lochte hopes to mark the occasion by not having to get in the pool.

Kayla Harrison, who scored America's first gold medal in judo, says she's excited to become a firefighter once she gets back home to Massachusetts.

"I have to take my EMT (emergency medical technician) certification test, and if a job opens up in the town I live in (Marblehead), I will get an interview.

"And having a gold medal on your resume is probably going to help me a little bit!" she laughed.

Also Thursday, the U.S. basketball team beat Nigeria by a whopping 156-73 - the most points ever for any Olympic team in the sport.

[TheStolenGiraffe]

I'm proud of Gabby Douglas & her accomplishments. It is a shame though, that in 2012, the world still has a laundry list of "firsts" for African Americans to accomplish due to the system of oppression created through white supremacy.

[jiojovi]

Great victory for Gabrielle Douglas and Michael Phelps well deserved triumph, however the US basketball team is a shame for the games, having professional basketball players or any other professional players in the Olympics is the lowest disgraced and dishonor for the games any country can do. Why then don't have professional competitors in all events, boxing will be a good one to have WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF champions competing at the Olympics it definitely will be more exciting to watch. The Olympics have gone from honest competitors to greedy opportunists that get pay by their country to compete. I wonder what happened with fun, honest amateur competitions that gave us pride to watch.
Shameful for the IOC to allowed professionals to compete at the Olympic Games

[yelobrikroad]

Well done. I am proud of our Olympians!

[peace6348]

Isn't it good that we have talented sportspersons like Gabrielle Douglas and Michael Phelps representing the GOOOD OL' USA - thank you, Gabrielle and Michael.

[jiojovi]

Great victory for Gabrielle Douglas and Michael Phelps well deserved triumph, however the US basketball team is a shame for the games, having professional basketball players or any other professional players in the Olympics is the lowest disgraced and dishonor for the games any country can do. Why then don't have professional competitors in all events, boxing will be a good one to have WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF champions competing at the Olympics it definitely will be more exciting to watch. The Olympics have gone from honest competitors to greedy opportunists that get pay by their country to compete. I wonder what happened with fun, honest amateur competitions that gave us pride to watch.
Shameful for the IOC to allowed professionals to compete at the Olympic Games.

[magnumdr]

The World should cancel the World Olympics and donate all of the money spent on it to feed the starving in World. The Olympics is a sport the World could live without!

[displeased2]

We already spend money to feed the starving...

[credibility2]

Good for Gabby, but her ethnicity wasn't what got her to this level of achievement. She clearly earned it and worked for it. Better this Olympic than the 2016 Rio one...she'll be considered an oldster for the sport at only twenty.