The Great Haul of China
China had an exceptional Games, exceeding what I expected them to achieve. They won a total of 100 medals, 51 of which were Gold. This meant China finished top of the medal table.
China particularly excelled at Artistic Gymnastics, Badminton, Diving, Shooting, Table Tennis, and Weightlifting. There was also a first gold in rowing, a couple of golds in trampolining, a couple in Judo, plus golds in Archery, Canoeing, Fencing, and Taekwondo.
China was not without controversy as there has been dispute over the age of five gymnasts. There was also controversy in the Taekwondo quarter-final between Britain’s Sarah Stevenson and China’s Chen Zhong. The Chinese has been awarded a 1-0 points win after Sarah had been denied a 2-point score for a last second kick to the head of her opponent. Scoring requires 3 of the 4 judges to press a button within 1 second of each other. Only 2 did. The decision was disputed and the win was handed to Sarah.
The United States of America also had a very good Olympics. Winning a total of 110 medals - of which 36 were Golds. I did think USA would just get over 35 Golds. However, on this occasion 36 gold medals was not enough to finish top dog, only to be leader of the (following) pack.
Eight on America’s golds were won by Michael Phelps in the swimming. America was particularly strong in team events, winning men’s and women’s basketball and beach volleyball; plus the men’s volleyball - with a silver for the women - and the women’s football. America also won both the 4×400 metre relays in the athletics. However, America’s usual dominance in the sprints was taken by the Jamaicans.
Russia came third in the table, with 72 medals, of which 23 were gold. A credible performance when you consider Russia only got two medals in the Artistic Gymnastics, 2 bronzes, and also fared quite poorly in the swimming pool - 1 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronzes. However, Russia did very well in the Athletics, coming second to the USA with 6 golds and 18 medals in total, and in the Wrestling, 6 golds and 11 medals in total.
Russia left it late - the fourteenth day - to enter the top three, pushing Great Britain down into fourth. However, with the two golds in the Rhythmic Gymnastics and two more in the Boxing over the final weekend, Russia made third look comfortable. Russia achieved a medal clean sweep in the women’s singles tennis.
The United Kingdom (Great Britain) had a remarkable Games, winning 47 medals (fourth best), of which 19 were Gold (also fourth best). Amazingly this was the best haul since London in 1908 - when the British won 56 golds, often in events with no competitors and always with British judges.
This was achieved by winning 2 swimming golds (well done Rebecca Adlington), 4 Sailing golds, 2 Rowing golds, an Athletics gold, a Boxing gold, a Kayaking gold, and 8 Cycling golds. If only there were more cycling events for the women…
What was good was to beat Germany - who came fifth with 16 golds and 41 medals - and the Australians - who came sixth with 14 golds and 46 medals.