Chinese sports fans turned on the country’s athletes and administrators Wednesday as the Asian giant languished behind Britain – once dismissed as an “old declining Empire” – in third place on the Olympic medal table in Rio.
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China claimed two more golds on day 11 of the Rio Olympics, raising their gold medal tally to 17.
The United States has 75 total medals including 26 gold, 23 silver and 26 bronze.
Rose became the first Olympic champion in the sport for 112 years, with Henrik Stenson securing the silver medal for Sweden. She broke down in tears after wrapping herself in a Union flag at the end of the race embossed with the words “Go Trotty, Go!” then giggled with delight as she waved on the podium.
Sam Kendricks took bronze in the men’s pole vault, although his feat took a clear back seat, especially in the Rio stadium, to the duel between France’s Renaud Lavillenie, the favorite in the event, and soon-to-be national hero Thiago Braz da Silva of Brazil.
The tweet was accompanied by a photograph of Chinese gymnast You Hao splayed out on the ground after falling during the men’s parallel bars final on Tuesday night.
Deajah Stevens of the United States may be one to watch out for in the 200-metres after posting a qualifying time of 22.45 seconds, while Ivorian Ta Lou was the fastest in the heats after clocking 22.31 seconds. When I saw I could get bronze, I just kept pushing.
Of course, also of note is Phelps’ 21st Olympic gold medal win that came shortly after, adding to his legacy as the most decorated athlete in Olympic history.
“Since China’s gold opportunities are concentrated in the first half, it will be hard for China to win more than 25 golds at this year’s Olympics, the lowest of the last five Olympics”, the China News Service said on Sunday. “I just couldn’t fall asleep”, Deng Shudi, who finished fourth in the men’s parallel bars, was quoted as saying by Reuters.
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Earlier on Tuesday, long-time icon Ai Fukuhara’s Japanese team beat Singapore 3-1 to clinch the bronze medal. “My brain is empty”.
