Shaun White of the United States celebrates after the men's half pipe finals at the 2018 Winter Olympics. — AP PYEONGCHANG, South Korea, Feb 14, 2018 (Reuters): Snowboarder Shaun White's halfpipe victory at the Pyeongchang Games on Wednesday earned the United States its landmark 100th Winter Games gold medal, prompting a series of celebratory messages on social media.
White scored 97.75 on his final run to pip Japan's Ayumu Hirano as he claimed his third Olympic gold and his country's 100th. Norway currently leads the all-time list with 121 golds, ahead of the U.S. (100) and Germany (92).
Swimmer Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time with 28 medals, 23 of them gold, was quick off the blocks to express his delight on Twitter.
"Let's go @shaunwhite !!! Way to go man!! Nothing like a good comeback right?? Redemption always feels great!" Phelps wrote on his verified account, alluding to White's failure to win a medal at Sochi four years ago.
From the NFL, Houston Texans defensive end J.J Watt was also impressed.
"That pure emotion from @shaunwhite. That's what it's all about. So awesome," he tweeted.
Women's soccer player Kelly O'Hara, a World Cup and Olympic winner was clearly moved by White's celebratory tears.
"I'm crying watching @shaunwhite cry. #olympicfeels" she tweeted.
The first ever gold medal awarded at the Winter Olympics was won by the United States in 1924 with long track speed-skater Charley Jewtraw's success in the 500 metres at Chamonix, France.
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