The U.S. has picked up seven more Olympic medals over the past 24 hours, five coming in track and field.

Angelo Taylor captured a gold medal in the men's 400-meter hurdles while leading the first U.S. sweep of the event since 1960. Taylor won with a personal-best time of 47.25 seconds, eight years after winning the event at the Sydney Games.

Kerron Clement finished second, just ahead of teammate Bershawn Jackson.

California's Stephanie Brown Trafton also picked up gold by winning the women's discus. Brown Trafton had the best toss of 212 feet, 5 inches on her first attempt. It was a rather surprising victory, considering she failed to make it out of Olympic qualifying four years ago and finished third at the U.S. trials last month.

And American Jenn Stuczynski earned a silver medal in the pole vault. Stuczynski was beaten by Russia's Yelena Isinbayeva, who broke her own world record by vaulting 16 feet, 6 3/4 inches.

Also in track and field, Jamaica's Usain (YOO'-sayn) Bolt has advanced to the semifinals of the Olympic men's 200 meters, finishing his quarterfinal heat in 20.29 seconds. Bolt is trying to complete the first 100-200 sprint sweep at the Olympics since 1984.

The U.S. has struck gold in equestrian team jumping, getting clear rounds from its first three riders in the jump-off against Canada. McLain Ward and Beezie Madden helped the American squad earn the victory, four years after they claimed gold medals in the event at Athens.

The American women's soccer team has beaten Japan 4-2 to reach the final against Brazil. Angela Hucles scored in each half after Japan took a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute.

The United States men's basketball team prepared for its quarterfinal game by blowing out Germany 106-57. Dwight Howard finished with 22 points, and LeBron James scored 16 of his 18 while the U.S. was building a 53-29 halftime lead.

The Americans are 5-and-0 heading into their quarterfinal meeting against Australia.

U.S. gymnast Nastia Liukin has collected her fourth medal of the Beijing Games, but the new scoring system may have cost her a gold.

Liukin and China's He Kexin each scored 16.725s in the uneven bars a few hours ago, but He claimed the victory because her execution marks were closer to a perfect 10. Liukin didn't pout, saying the system has been fair to her and adding she is happy to come away with four medals.