Americans claim exceptionalism and many people say what a people full of themselves - but they have proved it over and over again in the last 75 - 80 years since the 2nd world war. Look at some incredible records set by Americans in the current Olympics - Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympian ever - 26 medals, 22 of which are gold (he may win 2 more before the game is over). Phelps' record will stand for years to come, and he may return in 2020 for more medals; Simone Biles is the best (in terms of championship and medals won) gymnast (male or female) of all time - 4 times US All round gymnastic champion back-to-back, 3 times world gymnastic champion back-to-back, Olympic all round gold medalist (she has won 3 gold medals already and she will probably be the first female gymnast to win 5 gold medals if she continues at the level she is going; an American, Kim Rhode is the only person to have won a medal at six consecutive summer Olympics, she has been winning a medal