Medal Count 2016 Olympics: Thursday Results, Standings and Latest Reaction
The United States and Great Britain were the big winners early Thursday at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro with a bevy of canoeing results mixed in as well.
The early Thursday results were important mostly for Great Britain, the country locked in a battle with China for the right to stick in second place behind the United States on the medal leaderboard, not to mention keeping Russia at an arm's length.
Here's a look at a live-updating medal count as Thursday continues:
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Much about the medal race will come to light as Thursday progresses, with major events in track and field and men's volleyball yet to unfold. For now, let's take a look at the notable early Thursday results.
Canoeing Dishes Various Medals
Canoeing took center stage Thursday morning, dishing four gold medals in different events.
Germany took the top spot on the podium in the men's kayak double over 1000 meters thanks to the efforts of Marcus Gross and Max Rendschmidt. The duo held off a late surge by Serbia, the silver medalist.
Planet Canoe captured the podium scene:
In another double event, it was Spain taking gold in the men's kayak double over 200 meters, the duo of Saul Craviotto and Cristian Toro relegating Great Britain to a silver slot.
Rafael Nadal was one of many to offer praise for the fast-paced triumph:
In solo events, Ukraine's Iurii Cheban claimed gold in the men's single 200-meter race, helping him successfully defend his top spot on the podium gained in London 2012.
Hungary's Danuta Kozak took gold in the women's 500-meter singles race, bringing her tally to two golds in Rio thus far, the other coming in the women's double 500-meter race.
Kerron Clement Shines for United States
The United States didn't enter Thursday needing help on the medal table, but Kerron Clement decided to do his part anyway.
Clement's medal in the men's 400-meter hurdles event felt like a long time coming because he took silver in the same event back in 2008. He set a blistering pace Thursday, holding off all challengers late with a strong time of 47.73 seconds.
Fellow Olympian David Verburg took to social media to offer congratulations:
Verburg was far from alone. In fact, Ashton Eaton took the time out of his day to run over and celebrate, as captured by MileSplit US:
Call it a life-changing moment for Clement and one heck of a good way for the United States to get started Thursday.
Great Britain Dominates Triathlon
After China took notable medals in events such as table tennis and Taekwondo Wednesday, it was important for Great Britain to get off to a hot start Thursday.
Alistair and Jonny Brownlee put the country on their backs to start the day.
Indeed, Alistair claimed gold and defended his title with his brother right behind him, an almost perfect performance from both besting the field and at most points making the result seem like a foregone conclusion.
Fellow triathletes, football players and more offered high praise for the epic showing:
It's hard to find the perfect embodiment of what the Olympics are about, but the above picture sums it up quite well.
The brothers played the entire event beautifully, surviving the early ocean segment and alternating the pace along the running sections before Alistair made his push to defend his title. His winning wasn't in doubt when he started doubling other contestants, a much-deserved break with his brother at the finish line awaiting.
If it's a bit of foreshadowing, Thursday should be one to remember in Rio; if not, quite a successful day for Great Britain in the medal chase.
Stats and information courtesy of Rio2016.com.
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