LONDON (AP) -- American Olympians by and large had a great first day of competition at the London Summer Olympics.
Ryan Lochte gave the United States its first gold in the 400-meter individual medley. Fellow American Michael Phelps, the winner of eight gold medals four years ago, finished fourth.
Australia won gold in the women's 400-meter freestyle relay with the U.S. finishing third. The United States team got off to a blistering start with Missy Franklin swimming leadoff under world-record pace, but the Australians rallied. American Natalie Coughlin the 12th medal of her career, tying Dara Torres and Jenny Thompson as the most decorated U.S. female Olympian.
The U.S. took silver in men's team archery. Italy won by one point, on the final shot.
The U.S. women's basketball team routed Croatia 81-56 in its first action. The U.S. men, led by LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, play France on Sunday in their first game.
The U.S. women's soccer team made it two wins in two games in a 3-0 win over Colombia in Glasgow, Scotland. Megan Rapinoe, Abby Wambach and Carli Lloyd scored.
In tennis, on the very same Wimbledon court where she won her 14th Grand Slam tournament last month, Serena Williams advanced to the second round. U.S. first lady Michelle Obama was on hand to watch Williams dismantle former No. 1 Jelena Jankovic of Serbia 6-3, 6-1 on Centre Court.
American John Isner (IHZ'-nur) won his Olympic debut.
And in women's volleyball, Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May-Treanor advanced with a win.
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