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Olympics medal count: Missy Franklin and US swimmers lead the medal haul

Missy Franklin, Ryan Lochte, and Matt Grevers have multiple medals, including a gold medal each. American swimmers have been scooping up medals and smashing records at the London 2012 Olympics. So far, swimming is the only sport where multiple US athletes have won multiple medals. 

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Michael Dalder/Reuters
Matt Grevers of the US (l.) and his teammate Nick Thoman hold their gold and silver medals respectively, during the men's 100-meter backstroke victory ceremony at the London Olympic Games July 30.
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Rich Clabaugh/Staff
  • By Laura Edwins Contributor

The US scooped up two more gold medals Monday, and one so far on Tuesday, bringing the Team USA total gold medal count to six, and their overall total to 18, tying China. 

Like most of the US medals earned at the 2012 London Games thus far, two of the gold came from the pool. The US dominated the backstroke, with teen swimming sensation Missy Franklin taking gold in the women's 100-meter,  and Olympic veteran Matt Grevers winning the men's 100-meter. Nick Thoman also took the silver medal in the men's 100-meter.

It was the second medal for both Franklin and Grevers at these games. Both swimmers also medaled in the four by 100-meter freestyle relay. Grevers and his teammates took the silver, and Franklin and the US women's team won the bronze. 

So far, 20 US swimmers have medaled, though some have been part of relay teams so their four medals count as one toward the US medal total. US synchronized diving teams have also brought in two medals. Kelci Bryant and Abigail Johnston won the silver, and Nick McCrory and David Boudia won the bronze.

By far, the swimmers have been the stars of the games. Swimming is the only sport so far where multiple US athletes have won multiple medals. In addition to Grevers and Franklin, Ryan Lochte and Allison Schmitt have each taken home two medals. Lochte won the gold in the men's 400-meter individual medley and the silver with the four by 100-meter freestyle team. Schmitt won the silver in the women's 400-meter freestyle, and the bronze as part of the women's four by 100-meter freestyle team.

The US swim team has also been breaking records. Grevers set a new Olympic record in the 100-meter backstroke last night, and Dana Vollmer smashed the world record when she won the gold in the women's 100-meter butterfly.

As the games progress Americans are sure to pick up medals in other events. Already on Tuesday, Vincent Hancock took home the gold in skeet shooting. And the women's gymnastics team is hoping for a team medal Tuesday. Other US teams with an opportunity to medal include canoeing/kayaking, synchronized diving, equestrian, fencing, judo, shooting, and weightlifting. The US has also won one medal, Kim Rhode's historic gold, in shooting, three silver medals in men's archery, and one bronze in women's judo. 

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