A home win for Team GB as Britain takes two more golds
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 06: (L-R) Gold medalists Nick Skelton riding Big Star, Ben Maher riding Tripple X, Scott Brash riding Hello Sanctos and Peter Charles of Great Britain riding Vindicat celebrate on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Team Jumping on Day 10 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Greenwich Park on August 6, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
The home team had two reasons to cheer today as hosts Britain won their 17th and 18th gold medals in cycling and showjumping, leaving them only one medal shy of their gold tally from Beijing in 2008.
Britain's 17th gold came from the team showjumping event Monday when teammates Nick Skelton, Ben Maher, Peter Charles and Scott Brash beat the Netherlands in a jump-off.
Britain last won the gold medal in Olympic showjumping in the 1952 Helsinki Games, reports the BBC.
"The lads have done great, absolutely brilliant," Skelton told BBC Sport. "I've got a wonderful horse, wonderful owners. It's a dream come true." Skelton, 54, is one of the veteran Olympians now competing in his sixth Games.
In cycling, Jason Kenny bested world champion Gregory Bauge from France in the final of the men's sprint, becoming Britain's first double gold medallist of London 2012, reports Sky News.
Britain also took home a historic bronze today with Beth Tweddle, 27, becoming the oldest homegrown gymnast to win a medal since 1948, reports The Guardian.
Britain currently ranks third in the medals table, behind the United States and China. The Guardian reports that it has been 104 years since Great Britain won more than 19 gold medals. They're now on track to beat that goal.
The BBC is reporting that a victory parade is being planned for September 10 to celebrate Britain's athletes.