Olympic Medal Count 2012: Countries Who've Failed to Live Up to Expectations

Not every country can win.

The United States leaped over China in the race for most medals at the 2012 Olympics in London in what looks to be a two-country duel to the finish, but there have been multiple proud nations that have fallen flat on their face in the last six days.

Expectations haven’t been met, and athletes are struggling under the immense pressure that comes with an entire world watching.

Here are three countries that have already put themselves behind the eight ball in the overall medal chase with just over a week to redeem themselves.

Australia: 11 total (1 gold, 7 silver, 3 bronze)

The Aussies were supposed to excel in swimming, but their two big stars have floundered.

James “The Missile” Magnussen failed to live up to his nickname by losing the men’s 100-meter freestyle by 0.01 seconds. He had to settle for silver, which is much better than the horrific effort of the 4x100 freestyle relay squad where the team didn’t even register a medal.

On the women’s side, the plan was for Stephanie Rice to land multiple medals.

Instead, she finished sixth in the 400-meter individual medley and fourth in the 200 IM. Two head-scratching performances that make you wonder what has happened to the swimmers down under. According to The Guardian, Australia has won at least one gold medal in swimming in every Olympics since 1976.

The streak is now in grave danger.

Outside of the pool, the reigning gold medalist in men’s rowing double skulls didn’t qualify for the finals. Nathalie Cook (five-time Olympian) and teammate Tamsin Hinchley are already out of the competition in beach volleyball.

No wonder they are only tied for ninth in total medals.

Great Britain: 15 total (5 gold, 6 silver, 4 bronze)

When you are the host country, the expectations are going to be higher.

The crowd is always in your favor, and odds are you’re familiar with the venue for the competition. This has not been the case for the Brits, who didn’t win their first gold until Day 5 and are only tied for seventh in total medals with South Korea four years after landing fourth overall in the Beijing Olympics.

Judo, badminton, swimming and fencing are all sports to blame. Then there was the maddening final seconds of a last-second loss to Spain in men’s basketball where the team failed to foul.

There’s time to rebound, but the home country can’t be pleased thus far. Great Britain will have to regroup in a big way if they plan on equaling the 47 medals won in Beijing.

Canada: 7 Total (0 gold, 2 silver, 5 bronze)

It’s no secret this cold weather country always does much better at the Winter Olympics, but their showing thus far has been shocking.

While Canada wasn’t expected to do much in events like gymnastics, they have universally disappointed in equestrian, swimming, volleyball, badminton and especially rowing.

Despite winning two silvers, they sent seven separate teams in an event they were supposed to dominate. Rowing director told the Vancouver Sun the goal was “three to five” medals.

Not quite.

There are tons of questions and few answers for the Canadians. Their medal comeback will be hinging on their track and field performance.  

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