Medal Count for 2010 Olympics: USA Extends Its Lead

With a strong effort on Thursday, the United States regained some breathing room in the medal count with the Games heading into its final weekend.

Four medals by the U.S. puts them on the verge of tying the all-time Winter Olympics record for medals won by a nation. The U.S. once again tied for the most gold medals in Vancouver, as well as took the lead in silver and bronze.

With three days to go, can the U.S. break the record? Can it keep Germany in the rear view mirror?

United States: 32 medals

Bill Demong accomplished another first in American history by taking gold in the Nordic Combined Individual Large Hill/10-kilometer.

Teammate Johnny Spillane strengthened the U.S. presence on the podium by taking silver in the same event. It was Spillane who earned the first ever U.S. medal in Nordic Combined with a silver on the second day of the Games.

The U.S. women's hockey team picked up another silver medal with its 2-0 loss to Canada in the Women's Gold Medal Game. Jeret Peterson picked up the fourth medal of the day for the U.S. with his silver medal effort in Men's Aerial Skiing.

The most medals ever won by the U.S. in a Winter Olympics is 34 from 2002 in Salt Lake City, only eclipsed by Germany's record of 36 won the same year.

Germany: 26 medals

Germany did not win any medals yesterday and thus watched its pace slip to six behind the U.S. Germany is one of three countries with eight gold medals. Germany's best shot at a medal on Friday will likely come in the Women's Slalom.

Norway: 19 medals

Norway picked up its seventh medal of the Vancouver Games thanks to the Women's 4x5-kilometer Relay Team team led by Marit Bjoergen. Norway's best shot at a medal on Friday will come in the Men's 4x7.5-kilometer Biathlon Relay.

Canada: 17 medals

Canada picked up two medals on Thursday, including its eighth gold medal, punctuated by Canada's victory in the Women's Hockey Gold Medal Game. It was the third straight gold medal for Canada's women's hockey team, which took down the United States 2-0.

Canada's other medal came in Women's Figure Skating and the bronze medal effort by Joannie Rochette. It is Canada's first medal in Women's Figure Skating Singles since the 1988 Games in Calgary.

Russian Federation: 13 medals

The Russians were held without a medal for the second straight day, and they will likely find tough treading in its attempt to capture its elusive 14th medal on Friday. Elena Prosteva (pictured) goes in the Women's Slalom, but the Russians are on the outside looking in on Speed Skating and Short Track.

Austria: 12 medals

Austria picked up two medals on Thursday led by Bernhard Gruber's silver medal in the Nordic Combined Individual Large Hill/10-kilometer. Alpine skier Elisabeth Goergl picked up her second bronze of the Vancouver Games with her third place finish in the Women's Giant Slalom.

Korea: 11 medals

Korea picked up its sixth gold medal of the Games thanks to Yu-Na Kim's record-setting victory in Women's Figure Skating. It was the nation's first gold medal in Women's Figure Skating.