China Suffers Worst Olympics in Decades

By Bridget O'Donnell

China has 'suffered the worst Olympic flop' at the 2016 Olympic Games, according to Xinhua, after Great Britain surpassed the Middle Kingdom in the official medal standings.

In a tweet on its sports feed, the news agency lamented China's poor showing at the Rio Games, writing, "No gold for #CHN gymnasts, #TeamChina have suffered the worst Olympic flop at #Rio2016."

In another tweet, since deleted, Xinhua hurt the feelings of Team GB: “You’re kidding me? The country which has never finished above China is about to.”

Indeed, 2016 appears to be a bad year for China at the Olympics, which has dropped below second place in the medal table for the first time since the 2004 Games in Athens. Following disappointing performances in sports it once exceled in — badminton, gymnastics and diving — China currently has just 19 gold medals, trailing behind the United States (30) and Great Britain (19). Reuters says its on track to see its worst medal haul since 1996.

China is behind the United States and Great Britain in the medal table on Day 12 of competition. Table via Google.

Swimmer Sun Yang, accused by Aussie Mack Horton of being a 'drug cheat', missed his chance to pick up a gold medal in the 400 meter freestyle. He was later filmed crying at a press conference.

Perhaps the biggest disappointment came from the gymnastics teams, which failed to pick up any gold medals this year, making it China's worst performance since 1984.

According to The Guardian, China sent 416 athletes to Rio — its largest ever team at the Summer Games.

[Images via Xinhua, Daily Mail]

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