After trailing China since the Olympics began last week, USA on Thursday tied the Asian country - its biggest Olympic Rival - in the gold medal count thanks to Michael Phelps.
Phelps gave USA its 18th gold medal at London with his win in the 200-meter Individual Medley. Ryan Lochte finished second and gave the U.S. its 9th silver medal. China currently has two more silver medals than the U.S.
The medal count stands as follows (as of August 2, 5:45 p.m. EDT):
USA surpassed China in the total metal count with 3 more medals but China's +2 silver gives them good winning leverage.
While USA's gold medals mostly come from swimming events (11 out of the total 18). China's golds come from various sports including 4 in weight lifting, 4 in swimming and 4 in diving.
While the U.S. team scooped up gold for the Women's Artistic Gymnastics event, China obtained the gold for the same event but in the men's version and now the race to obtain most gold medals and most medals seems to be heating up.
USA will probably scoop a couple more gold medals in Basketball, Women's Soccer, Volleyball and on the track (except running most probably), but China on the other hand will most likely obtain gold in table tennis and the remaining weightlifting events as well as grab some more in gymnastics.
In Beijing 2008, China obtained 51 gold medals, 21 silver and 28 bronze for a total of 100 medals.
USA on the other hand obtained 36 gold medals, 38 silver and 36 bronze for a total of 110 medals.
Who will scoop up more? Only time will tell.
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