Alaska News

Team GB: Britain chalks up two more gold medals as the table keeps shifting

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 an historic bronze today with Beth Tweddle, 27, becoming the oldest homegrown gymnast to win a medal since 1948, reports The Guardian.

Britain are third in the medals table, behind the United States and China, and are now just one gold shy of their tally at the 2008 Games in Beijing. The Guardian reports that 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 10th to celebrate Britain's athletes.

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