By Kehinde Okeowo
As the Tokyo Olympics enters the second week, participating countries have started reaping the fruits of their labour, while for heavyweights such as China, United States and the host, Japan, it’s a straight fight for the summit of the medal table, while countries like Nigeria are still striving to win the first silverware at the tournament. As at the time of this report, the usual suspects are leading the medal table with China leading with 19 gold medals, 10 silver medals, 11 bronze medals and a total of 40medals, they are followed by the host Japan, who has 17 gold medals, 4 silver medals, 7 bronze medals and 28 medals in total. The United States leads the totals number of medals earned with 41 medals, but are third on the log table with 14 gold medals, 16 silver medals and 11bronze medals.
Russia, Australia, Great Britain, South Korea, Netherlands, France and Germany occupied the remaining 7 places in the list of 10 top countries and in the order they have been listed. A total of 63 countries have found a way to the medal list with the last 8 countries securing a bronze medal each.
South Africa occupies the 24th position but leads the African challenge with a goal medal and 2 silver medals, they followed by Tunisia who is ranked 28 and boasts of a gold medal and a silver medal. Uganda is in the 47th spot with a silver medal and a bronze model, Egypt has 2 silver medals and shares the 60th spot with Mexico and Turkey, while Cote d’Ivoire is the last African country on the medal table with just a bronze medal.
Nigeria and other Africa countries are yet to get a medal and most Nigerians will be hoping that our athletes can start winning with the commencement of track and field events which remains our best route to the medal table. Though the next nine days will likely determine the final position of each country, the fight for the first three positions is looking like a contest between the host, Japan, China and the United States.
