London 2012 Day 1: first off the blocks are the USA, China and Italy
Off to a strong start to claim their territory: two of the sporting world’s greats, the USA and China, are top of the ranking after the finals scheduled in Day 1.
The Americans claim only one gold (Ryan Lochte in the 400m Medley in Swimming) and one silver (the Men’s Archery team) but bolster them up with a bronze in Swimming and a fourth place in the Men’s Road Cycling race: enough to edge ahead of China by ten points.
The Chinese win 4 golds, starting with the Women 10m Air rifle (and a silver too), then three Swimming medals (2 golds and a bronze) and the last a gold in the -48kg Women Weightlifting contest.
Behind the two superpowers two relative surprises: Italy won 5 medals in the day, including a sensational gold-silver-bronze triplet in the Women’s individual Foil in Fencing. And Japan, who picked up useful points in Judo and in Swimming too.
Even more of a surprise is Kazakhstan, tenth overall thanks to Vinokourov’s brilliant win in the Men’s Road Cycling race. The man himself is no stranger to Olympic glory, having won silver in the Road Cycling race as long as 12 years ago in Sidney but for Kazakhstan, currently 41st in the Global Cup standings, this is a day to remember.
