Russia does well at Beijing Olympics

   

In the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, Russia performed quite well in the games, ending up third in the overall medal count. The team concluded the games with a total of 72 medals- 23 gold, 21 silver, and 28 bronze. Ahead of Russia was the United States with a total of 110 medals and the host nation, China, with 100 medals. 

Russia earned gold medals in the following events: Wrestling, Tennis, Athletics, Canoeing, Synchronized Swimming, Gymnastics, and Boxing. Notable athletes included Evgenie Kaneaeva (All-Around Rhythmic Gymnastics), Elena Dementieva (Women's Singles Tennis), Rakhim Chakhkiev (91kg Boxing), and Anastasia Davydova and Anastasia Ermakova (Women's Duet Synchronized Swimming).

   

          Evegenie Kaneaeva

Rakhim Chakhkiev 

Silver medals were earned in the numerous sports like Wrestling, Synchronized Diving, Shooting, Swimming, Weightlifting, Tennis, Wrestling, Canoeing, Handball, and Athletics. Women's tennis star Dinara Safina was among the many athletes that brought silver medals home to Russia. Safina recently made a great showing at the US Open as the 6th seated player, she lost to Serena Williams in the Semifinal round. 

Russians Sweep Women's Tennis Singles

(From left to right) Safina, Dementieva, Zvonareva

Bronze medal events included Diving, Shooting, Swimming, Archery, Canoeing, Weightlifting, Athletics, Tennis, Gymnastics, Cycling, Boxing, Volleyball and Basketball. 

The men's Volleyball and women's Basketball teams earned their country respective gold medals. The women's Basketball team defeated the host nation for the medal and the Volleyball team defeated Italy, 3-0.

Russia has also performed well in previous Olympic Games. Since the 1900 Paris games, Russia has earned a total of 323 medals. Even in the Winter Games, Russia has earned an impressive total of 76 medals, 33 of which are gold. Its worth noting that Russia has only participated in 4 Winter Olympic games, starting in 1994 in Lillehammer.

Despite the impressive performance in Beijing, Russia earned more medals in both the 2004 Athens games, 92 total medals, and the 2000 Sydney games, 88 total medals.         

                

So, what can we expect for the 2012 London games? One can't be entirely certain, but I'm sure it'll be nothing short of incredible.