But it’s possible that China has done even more to propel the British up the table.
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But in a report on the gymnastics results it lamented that the “traditional powerhouse” only took two bronzes in the team events, adding it was the first Olympics where China had failed to win an individual gymnastics medal.
Cate Campbell, Mitch Larkin and Emily Seebohm are among the highest profile athletes who failed to turn pre-Olympic expectations into gold.
The women’s competition has been dominated by the United States, who claimed the team title, and American Simone Biles who won a record-equalling fourth gold on Tuesday.
The last time the gold medals were actually made out of gold was over a hundred years ago at the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden.
Though Japan’s Maharu Yoshimura and Niwa claimed the first game of their doubles match against Zhang and Xu, they were unable to capitalise as they lost 3-1. Michael Phelps has widened his lead for the most decorated Olympian of all time taking home six medals, five of which are gold, at these games.
However, they are now a staggering 49 medals off the 100 they won in Beijing eight years ago, and 37 worse off than the 88 they claimed at London 2012. “How does she prepare to be a gold medal victor?” So far it has won just 58.
Laura’s fiancé and Team GB’s male cycling star, Jason Kenny, set the Velodrome alight again after winning gold in the men’s keirin race.
There was yet more success in the Velodrome as Becky James secured a silver medal in the women’s sprint.
Mounting frustration over Team China’s fortunes in Rio was captured in a tweet posted on Xinhua’s official Twitter account on Wednesday morning.
In early 2006 UK Sport became responsible for all performance funding from Talent to Podium and the Beijing, London and Rio figures reflect that total package. “To do it today, the Olympic Games, I don’t know what to say”. China narrowly held off Russian Federation, which finished third with 82 total medals.
Of the Chinese gymnasts, who took home just two bronzes, the official People’s Daily said: “People can not but ponder – what on earth is up with them?”
Thousands of women and men are going for the gold with the start of the 2016 Olympic Games last week, but only a select few will earn one of those cherished medals.
The Rio Olympics continue until Sunday, Aug. 21, before Tokyo accepts the Olympic flag for the 2020 games.
A Kohei Uchimura-powered Japan toppled China’s men, two-time gold medalists since Beijing 2008.
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Who have Team GB still got left to compete who could genuinely challenge for a medal?
