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Olympic medal count: Inspiring performances from abroad

There was plenty to talk about from US athletes this weekend at the London Games. But Great Britain and Jamaica were also strong, and China came back to overtake the Americans.

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Victor R. Caivano/AP
Britain's Andy Murray celebrates after defeating Switzerland's Roger Federer to win the men's singles gold medal match at Wimbledon, in London, at the Summer Olympics, Sunday.
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Rich Clabaugh/Staff
  • By Laura Edwins Contributor

There were many memorable moments from US athletes at the London Games this weekend. 

Michael Phelps swam in his last Olympic event and earned a gold medal. The women's 4x100-meter relay swim team of Missy Franklin, Rebecca Soni, Dana Vollmer, and Allison Schmitt broke the world record and won the gold medal. And Serena Williams took the gold medal over Maria Sharapova.

Not to mention the excellent performances from the US fencing team in the men's team foil quarterfinals, gymnast McKayla Maroney on the vault, beach volleyball teams Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings, and Jen Kessy and April Ross, as well as the US women's volleyball team.

But some of the most outstanding Olympic moments this weekend went to athletes from other countries.

Jamaica was undoubtedly dominant in track and field. Usain Bolt took his second Olympic gold in the men's 100-meter dash, in 9.63 seconds, and his running partner Yohan Blake took silver in the event in 9.80.

The race was exciting as expected. Though Bolt fell short of his world record of 9.58 he was faster than his gold medal-winning race in Beijing. Blake, the contender most likely to give Bolt real competition, couldn't overtake him and American Justin Gatlin took the bronze.

The fastest woman also hails from Jamaica, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce also won gold in the women's 100-meter dash.

Great Britain also had a solid weekend. Several Brits picked up their second medal at the Games. Andy Murray beat Roger Federer to earn Great Britain's first gold medal in tennis, adding to his silver.

Gymnasts Louis Smith and Max Whitlock continued Great Britain's medal-winning run in gymnastics. Smith took the silver on the pommel horse, and Whitlock took the gold on the event. Both had previously won bronze with Britain's men in the team finals.

Cyclist Edward Clancy took home his second medal, the bronze in the men's 100 kilometer time trial. Rebecca Adlington also contributed to Britain's tally, picking up another bronze on Friday in the women's 800-meter freestyle.

Great Britain is now in third place in the overall medal standings with 37 total, 16 gold. The US is in second with 60 total, 28 gold, though China has overtaken the Americans again with a total of 61.

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