Olympic Medal Count 2012: United States Storms Back on Day 11
Headed into the track and field events on Day 11 of the 2012 London Olympics, China had burst ahead of the United States, racking up nine medals, including three gold medals.
But the Americans gained ground in one of their signature sports, capturing four medals in track and field on Tuesday.
Dawn Harper and Kellie Wells captured the silver and bronze medals, respectively, in the women's 100-meter hurdles. Erik Kynard won a silver medal in the men's high jump. And Leo Manzano finished things off with a silver in the men's 1,500 meters.
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As of this writing, the U.S. is trailing China in total medals (73-70), gold medals (34-30) and silver medals (21-19), but the gap was far greater before the Americans took to the track on Tuesday.
The Americans' advantage in track and field should help them get back on, well, track as they try to catch China. There's also the fact that both women's beach volleyball teams (Kessy/Ross and May-Treanor/Walsh Jennings) advanced to the final on Tuesday.
After being overtaken by China in gold medals in 2008, the U.S. is hoping to exact some revenge this year in what has become an exciting rivalry all of a sudden. Track and field figures to be the Americans' best chance, and there are still plenty of events left.
On Wednesday, the medal events in track and field include women's long jump, women's 400-meter hurdles, women's 200 meters and men's 110-meter hurdles.
American Brittney Reese is the favorite in the women's long jump, and Lashinda Demus is ranked second in the women's 400-meter hurdles, according to Bovada. Allyson Felix and Carmelita Jeter are the top two contenders in the women's 200 meters. And Aries Merritt and Jason Richardson are the top two contenders in the men's 110-meter hurdles.
Don't be surprised if the Americans jump ahead of China in total medals on Wednesday.
 |  |  | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | China Total: 73 | 34 | 21 | 18 |
 | United States Total: 70 | 30 | 19 | 21 |
 | Great Britain Total: 48 | 22 | 13 | 13 |
 | Russia Total: 48 | 10 | 18 | 20 |
 | Japan Total: 29 | 2 | 13 | 14 |
Visit B/R's Standings and Medal Winners Tracker for updated standings!
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