Olympic Medal Counts: USA Pulling Away

The United States didn't equal its amount of medals won from the previous day, but the U.S. Olympic team did make a statement in a number of very popular events.

With an additional four medals won, the United States opened up a seven-medal lead over its closest competitor and appears to be pulling away. Not only does the U.S. have the most medals, but it has the most gold, silver and bronze medals.

Germany remains in second place in the medal count, but a new face has emerged in the top five thanks to strong showings in its strongest events. Canada and France round out the top five with another newcomer making its way up the ranks.

United States: 18 medals

Evan Lysacek headlined the U.S. day by pulling off something not done in 22 years-he won the gold in men's figure skating. It is the first men's gold in figure skating since Brian Boitano stood on top of the podium at the 1988 Games in Calgary. Lysacek beat out defending gold medalist Yevgeny Plushenko and simultaneously ended Russia's 18-year reign in men's figure skating.

Julia Mancuso earned her second silver of the games by capturing second place in the Women's Super Combined.

The U.S. also took two medals in the Women's Halfpipe. Hannah Teter took the silver and defending gold medalist Kelly Clark took bronze. Despite the two medals, the overall results were somewhat disappointing as an American was heavily expected to win gold.

Germany: 11 medals

Germany picked up one medal on Thursday. After a disappointing showing in the Downhill, Maria Riesch took the gold in the Women's Super Combined. It was an event in which Riesch came in as the favorite.

German's four gold medals and four silver medals rank second behind the United States.

Norway: Eight medals

Norway jumps onto the leaderboard following a very strong day with medals in an event the Norwegians have long dominated.

Emil Hegle Svendsen took the gold in the Men's 20-kilometer Individual Biathlon. Teammate Ole Einar Bjoerndalen shared the silver medal with Belarus' Sergey Novikov in a dead-heat photo finish.

Norway also claimed supremacy in the Women's 15-kilometer Individual Biathlon thanks to Tora Berger.

Norway's finishes in the biathlon events was a significant turnaround after the team finished disappointingly low in early biathlon events.

Canada: Seven medals

Canada earned its third gold medal of the games thanks to Christine Nesbitt (pictured) who took first in Women's 1,000-meter Speed Skating. The initial disappointment of missing out on Jennifer Heil's gold is long gone now that Canada has emerged victorious in three events to go with its two silver medals and two bronze medals.

France: Seven medals

With no medals won yesterday, France holds steady at seven medals and tied in fourth.

Korea: Five medals

Korea, too, remained steady at its medal with five. Korea shoots for its next medal tomorrow when the Men's 1,500-meter Speed Skating and Men's 1,000-meter Short Track Speed Skating take off.

Austria: Five medals

Austria moved up the leaderboard yesterday thanks to Elisabeth Goergl's bronze medal finish in the Women's Super Combined. It is the second bronze medal for Austria after Gregor Schlierenzauer took bronze in Ski Jumping.

Austria possesses two silver medals. Christoph Sumann finished second in the Men's 12.5-kilometer Biathlon Pursuit. Nina Reithmayer took silver in the Women's Single Luge.

Andreas and Wolfgang Linger are the owners of Austria's lone gold, taking first in the Men's Doubles Luge.