African Gold at London 2012 Olympics

 

African athletes won 11 GOLD medals and 34 other medals (silver and bronze) in all during the just ended London 2012 Olympics. It wasn’t only David Rudisha and Ezekiel Kemboi who won Gold. Below is a break-down of the various African countries and medals  won.

Kenya:

Kenya have a rich tradition in long and middle distance running and in Beijing 2008 won 14 medals – their best Olympic performance.

In this competition they lead the continent with 11 medals – 2 Golds, 4 Silver and 5 Bronze.

South Africa:

The rainbow nation won 6 medals from the competition comprising 3 Gold medals, 2 Bronze and 1 Silver.

South Africa’s Men lightweight four team comprising John Smith, Sizwe Ndlovu, James Thompson and Matthew Brittain took Gold over Great Britain in Rowing.

Chad Le Clos came first in the Men’s 200m butterfly and also set an new African record.

Cameron Van Der Burgh came first in the 100m Breaststrokes where he also set a new World Record.

Ethiopia:

Undisputed stars of long distance running, Ethiopia also won 7 medals of which 3 are Gold, 1 Silver and 3 Bronze.

Erba Tiki Gelana set a new Olympic Record in the Women’s Marathon by beating Kenyan Priscah Jeptoo.

Meseret Defar came first winning Gold in the Women’s 5000m race.

Tirunesh Dibaba took Gold in the Women’s 10,000m race.

Tunisia:

Tunisia’s strengths have traditionally been in boxing and long distance running, but more recently have had medal success in swimming. In total, they racked 3 medals of which are 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze.

Oussama Mellouli was the only medalist from his country to win Gold in the Men’s 10km Open Water swim marathon.

Algeria:

Boxing and athletics, especially middle distance running, have traditionally been Algeria’s star sports. Unfortunately, they won only one medal in the competition.

Taoufik Makhloufi took Gold in the Men’s 1500m even after nearly been disqualified from the 800m finals.

Uganda:

Over the past couple of years, Ugandan athletes have shown great prowess in the middle and long distance competitions. Unfortunately, they also took one medal (Gold) home.

Stephen Kiprotich stung the Kenyan Men’s marathon team by coming first in the Men’s Marathon at the London 2012 Olympics.

He received a heroes welcome with a 21-gun salute after inspecting a guard of honor upon returning to Uganda.