IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Host country surges in medal winnings

By Lauren Spurr In the first few days of competition, Great Britain experienced a great leap forward in their medal count.  The host country now holds fifth
Guardian Front Page 8/2/2012
Guardian Front Page 8/2/2012

By Lauren Spurr 

In the first few days of competition, Great Britain experienced a great leap forward in their medal count.  The host country now holds fifth place in the overall medal count.  Bradley Wiggins started the streak with his gold medal win in Men's Road Cycling's Time Trial on Wednesday, shortly afterwards, medal mania spread throughout Team Great Britain.  Yesterday, Great Britain's Chris Hoy tearfully won his fifth Olympic medal in Men's Track Cycling Team Sprint and set a world record along with his teammates Jason Kenny and Philip Hindes. 


Other heroes emerged in Women's Judo, Men's Rowing, and Men's Double Trap Shooting.  Prime Minister David Cameron also got into team GB spirit, attending the Women's Judo final with Russian President Vladimir Putin (who holds a black belt in Judo). 

Lord Moynihan, the Chairman of the British Olympic Association, stated that Thursday is "another positive move forward on what will be a long journey, with some outstanding and memorable results that will prove critical in the final analysis of the performance of our team."