One down, 29 to go.

The United States earned its first medal at the Olympic track Friday night when Reese Hoffa took bronze in the shot put.

A great moment for Hoffa, whose seventh-place finish four years ago was part of an overall disappointing Olympics for the U.S. — only 23 medals — that led to a top-to-bottom review of the U.S. track program. That led to what's now famously — or infamously — called "Project 30."

The goal: 30 medals at the London Olympics. The mark was set by Doug Logan, the former CEO, who has since been fired. His successor has embraced the goal, but with the caveat that 30 would be quite a reach.

There are six finals Saturday — six medal opportunities — and the Americans have contenders in almost all of them, the most notable being Carmelita Jeter in the women's 100.

The smart money here says the U.S. must come out of Day 2 on the track with a total of at least five medals to be on pace for 30.

— Eddie Pells — Twitter http://www.twitter.com/epells

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EDITOR'S NOTE — "Eyes on London" shows you the Olympics through the eyes of Associated Press journalists across the 2012 Olympic city and around the world. Follow them on Twitter where available with the handles listed after each item.