Summer Olympics, Day 12: Team USA Adds 7 Medals In Track And Field

Americans Christian Taylor, Will Claye Win Gold And Silver In Men's Triple Jump

Not only did Americans place first and second in the triple jump at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London -- Christian Taylor and Will Claye turned the event into something not too different from their practices at the University of Florida.

Taylor leaped 17.81 meters on his fourth jump, a new best in 2012, and held on to the lead as competitors made a run at him, none getting closer than Claye's 17.62 meters. When Claye took his sixth and final jump, gold and silver were assured for the Americans -- the only question was whether Claye would take gold from his former Gators teammate, and he answered it by jumping just 16.66 meters.

The gold is the first medal of Taylor's Olympic career, while Claye's silver is his second medal at the 2012 Olympics, as he previously won bronze in the long jump. Greece's Fabrizio Donato took bronze with a jump of 17.48 meters.

The gold-silver double was the second in as many days for Americans on the track. Aries Merritt and Jason Richardson went 1-2 in the 110m hurdles on Wednesday.

For more on the Olympics, check out SB Nation's London 2012 Olympics hub. For more on Olympic athletics, follow the 2012 Olympic athletics section.

Olympics Medal Count: Slew Of Track And Field Medals Propel Team USA Back To Top

Through 12 full days of competition, Team USA jumped back into the top spot of the overall medals count, after an impressive performance in a number of track and field events.

From the 110m hurdles to long jump, the American athletes combined to win seven medals in four events at London's Olympic Stadium.

China still holds a slim lead in the number of gold medals won, but the United States are in position to at least be in a tie for that superlative by the end of tomorrow night if the women's soccer team defeats Japan to win gold, and if Ashton Eaton hangs on to win the decathlon.

Here's a more complete look at the medal count:

United States: 81 (34 gold, 22 silver, 25 bronze)

China: 77 (36, 22, 19)

Russia: 52 (11, 19, 22)

Great Britain: 48 (22, 13, 13)

Germany: 32 (7, 15, 10)

For a complete breakdown, visit Sports Illustrated's medal count tracker.

For more on the Olympics, check out SB Nation's London 2012 Olympics Hub.

2012 Olympics, Women's 200m Results: Allyson Felix Wins Elusive Gold

Allyson Felix had been little more than a blink of the eye from gold in the Olympics before. In Athens, Felix, thought to be the American heir to Marion Jones, finished .13 seconds behind Veronica Campbell-Brown in the final of women's 200 meters for silver. In Beijing, she was .19 back of Campbell-Brown, good for silver again. On Thursday, Felix finally broke through for gold, winning the 200m and putting Campbell-Brown in Felix's past.

Felix was the only woman to break 22 seconds in the race, running it in 21.88 seconds to beat silver medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica (22.09) and bronze medalist Carmelita Jeter of the U.S. (22.14), who each added to medals earned in the 100 meters.

After the race, she was understandably relieved:

"I mean, finally," she said after the race. "It’s been a long time coming. I am so overjoyed."

Campbell-Brown finished fourth in the event, at 22.38 seconds, missing a medal in her attempt to go from being the only woman with two golds in the event to being the first woman with three golds in the event. American Sanya Richards-Ross finished fifth.

Felix, the first woman with three medals in the 200m, could match Campbell-Brown's repeat feat in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, should she choose to continue her sprinting career.

For more on the Olympics, check out SB Nation's London 2012 Olympics Hub. For more on Olympic athletics, follow the 2012 Olympic athletics section.

Caster Semenya Makes Olympic Debut, Qualifies For Women's 800m Semifinal

South African runner Caster Semenya made her Olympic debut on Wednesday and proved that she has what it takes where it counts -- on the track.

Semenya placed third in qualifying for the women's 800 meters on Wednesday, earning a spot in the event's semifinals with a time of 2 minutes, 00.71 seconds. She finished .24 seconds behind American Alysia Johnson Montano in the fastest of six qualifying heats. Semenya was also bested by Pamela Jelimo of Kenya, who covered the distance in 2:00.54 to easily win her heat.

Semenya -- who was forced to undergo genetic testing in 2009 by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), track's international governing body -- is considered a medal contender in the 800m, and was the silver medalist at the distance at the 2011 IAAF World Championships. She also served as the flag-bearer for South Africa's Olympic delegation at the Opening Ceremony.

Semenya, Johnson Montano, Jelimo and the rest of the women's 800m semifinals will run in three heats beginning at 2:30 p.m. Eastern on Thursday.

For more on the Olympics, check out SB Nation's London 2012 Olympics hub. For more on Olympic athletics, follow the 2012 Olympic athletics section.

Taekwondo Would Like Your Attention

Brittney Reese Wins Gold Medal In Long Jump, Second American To Do So

Brittney Reese went far and fast. And no one in the women's long jump final could catch her, allowing Reese to win the U.S.'s second-ever gold medal in the event. She became the first since Jackie Joyner-Kersee won the event, which was her second gold medal of the 1988 games.

Reese jumped 7.12 meters on her first legal jump and, despite making just two of her six jumps in the final count, that mark held up for gold. Russia's Elena Sokolova topped out at 7.07 meters, and won silver for her efforts.

Bronze went to American Janay DeLoach, who beat Latvia's Ineta Radevica by .01 meters, 6.89 to 6.88, on her fifth jump.

Reese and DeLoach each winning medals in the event makes 2012 the first Olympics in which the U.S. has won two medals in the women's long jump. It's the first time a nation has won two medals in the event since Russia swept it at the 2004 Olympics.

For more on the Olympics, check out SB Nation's London 2012 Olympics Hub. For more on Olympic athletics, follow the 2012 Olympic athletics section.

Americans Aries Merritt, Jason Richardson Go 1-2 In 110m Hurdles

The United States went 1-2 in the men's 110-meter hurdles final Wednesday at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Aries Merritt won the gold medal with a time of 12.92 seconds and Jason Richardson took silver just 0.12 seconds behind to give Team USA a big boost in the overall medal count.

Merritt led from the outset of the race and held on for the win, but Richardson needed to come from behind on the final set of hurdles to pass Jamaica's Hansle Parchment. Parchment set a Jamaican record, running 13.12 seconds to take home the bronze medal.

Dayron Robles of Cuba, the defending Olympic gold medalist, did not finish the race after apparently pulling a muscle in his leg midway through the run. Great Britain's Lawrence Clarke took fourth and Ryan Brathwaite of Barbados finished fifth.

You can find a complete medal tracker at SI.com.

For more on the Olympics, check out SB Nation's London 2012 Olympics Hub.

American Allyson Felix Wins Gold, Carmelita Jeter Bronze In Women's 200m

Finally, Allyson Felix has her individual Olympic gold. Felix dusted the field in the women's 200m on Wednesday to earn the first individual gold medal of her celebrated track career.

Felix, the definite favorite entering the women's 200m final, ran the race in 21.88 seconds, and avenged losses to Jamaica's Veronica Campbell-Brown in the finals of the 200m in Athens and Beijing. Shelley-Ann Fraser-Pryce, two-time gold medalist in the 100m, took silver with a 22.09, and Carmelita Jeter added bronze in the 200m to her silver in the 100m in 22.14.

Campbell-Brown, bidding to become the first woman to ever win the 200m three times, finished fourth in 22.38 seconds. American Sanya Richards-Ross, who won the 400m in London, settled for fifth at 22.39 seconds.

The win gives Felix four medals in her Olympic career, and just her second gold. The U.S. has taken two of three gold medals in the three shortest non-hurdles sprint events (100m, 200m, 400m) in London after going without golds in those three events in Beijing.

For more on the Olympics, check out SB Nation's London 2012 Olympics Hub. For more on Olympic athletics, follow the 2012 Olympic athletics section.

Women's 400m Hurdles Final: American Lashinda Demus Takes Silver Medal In Tight Race

Natalya Antyukh of Russia won the gold medal in the women's 400-meter hurdles at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London with a time of 52.70 seconds. She edged out American Lashinda Demus by just 0.07 seconds for the win as both runners blew away the rest of the eight-runner field. Zuzana Hejnova took bronze with a time of the Czech Republic took bronze with a time of 53.38 seconds.

Antyukh appeared to be on her way to an easy victory, but she stutter-stepped going into the last set of hurdles, allowing Demus to race back and set up a near photo finish. Antyukh ran the in the 400-meter and 4x400m events at the 2004 Olympics but did not medal.

Two more Americans raced, but did not medal. Georgane Moline set a personal best with time of 53.92 seconds, good for fifth place. T'Erea Brown took sixth with a time of 55.07 seconds.

For more on the Olympics, check out SB Nation's London 2012 Olympics Hub.

Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake Easily Qualify For 200m Finals

If there was any doubt that the men's 200m finals would be a two-man race, that was firmly erased Wednesday night in London as Jamaicans Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake cruised to victories in their semifinal heats while barely breaking a sweat.

Blake had the fastest time, a 20.01, and looked like he was jogging for the final 40 meters. Wallace Spearmon was right behind him (20.02 seconds), and will be the only representative of Team USA in Thursday's finals (3:55 p.m. ET).

Bolt appeared to be out for a casual jog and still won his heat easily, cruising past the rest of the field in 20.18 seconds. South Africa's Anaso Jobodwana finished second behind Bolt to automatically qualify for the finals.

The Netherlands' Churandy Martina won the third heat, in 20.17 seconds, advancing to the final along with Jamaica's forgotten runner, Warren Weir.

In Thursday's final, Bolt will attempt to do something never accomplished before in the Olympics: win gold in both the 100m and 200m in back-to-back Games.

Women's Beach Volleyball Bronze Medal Match: Top-Ranked Brazil Defeats China For Medal

Brazil no doubt would rather have been playing in the women's beach volleyball gold medal match later in the day, but at least they won't be leaving the 2012 Summer Olympics in London empty-handed. On Wednesday, the world No. 1 duo of Juliana Silva and Larissa Franca defeated Chen Xue and Xi Zhang, 2-1, to win the bronze medal match.

China dominated the first set, 21-11, as Brazil buried itself with constant mental mistakes. The tables turned in the second set, however. Down 19-16, Brazil reeled off five straight points to force a third set for the match. Zhang couldn't hand the final attack by Larissa, giving Brazil the set, 15-12, and the match.

The gold medal match will be an all-American affair as Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh take on April Ross and Jen Kessy. Here's how you can watch the match, live, at 3:55 p.m. ET.

For more on the Olympics, check out SB Nation's London 2012 Olympics hub. For more on Olympic beach volleyball, follow the 2012 Olympic beach volleyball section.

Americans Aries Merritt, Jason Richardson Qualify For Men's 110m Hurdles

Americans Aries Merritt and Jason Richardson both qualified for the finals of the 110m hurdles on Wednesday with each man winning his semifinal heat. With China’s Liu Xiang falling in the opening round heats on Tuesday the two Americans are both medal favorites along with Cuba’s Dayron Robles, who also won his semifinal heat.

Merritt put up the best time on Wednesday by a substantial margin finishing in 12.94 seconds, only .03 seconds off his personal best. Robles won his semi in 13.10 seconds and Richardson in 13.13.

The finals will be held at 4:15 p.m. ET, but NBC will not air the event until primetime. If you want to watch it live you can do so on the NBC Live Extra feed. The finals will be a mostly Caribbean affair; Great Britain’s Lawrence Clarke joins the two Americans as the only non-Caribbean finalists. The third American, Jeff Porter, failed to qualify for the finals.

For more on the Olympics, check out SB Nation's London 2012 Olympics Hub. For more on Olympic Athletics, follow the 2012 Olympic Athletics section.

Women's Beach Volleyball Online Streaming: How To Watch Gold Medal Final

Beach volleyball has been a fixture of the NBC primetime television coverage of the 2012 Olympics, but the all-American final match between the team of Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings and the pairing of April Ross and Jennifer Kessy on Wednesday afternoon is the sort of event the Internet will probably spoil for those who have to wait to watch at night.

Fortunately, as with every 2012 Olympics event, there's a live online stream for fans stuck at work or away from a computer. That stream is available through NBC Live Extra, and will go live at 3:55 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, five minutes before the match begins at 4 p.m. Eastern.

Veterans May-Treanor and Walsh Jennings are looking for their third straight Olympic gold medal in the event, in what will likely be their last trip to the Games. But Ross and Kessy have been around for a while themselves, and will be looking for a breakthrough win against the lions of the sport.

The bronze medal match between Brazil and China is live now on NBC Live Extra.

For more on the Olympics, check out SB Nation's London 2012 Olympics hub. For more on Olympic beach volleyball, follow the 2012 Olympic beach volleyball section.

Nicolas Batum Ends France-Spain With Nasty Cheap Shot

Olympic Medal Count: Hungary Makes Its Move On Day 12

China and the United States have duked it out for the top spot of the 2012 Olympics medal count throughout the Olympic fortnight, but so far on Day 12, a light day of competition, it is Hungary that's making the biggest waves.

Hungary snagged two gold medals from kayaking events in the early events of the day, and is the only nation with multiple golds on Wednesday so far. Germany nabbed four medals in canoe, however, and leads with five medals overall.

Switzerland also got a gold in individual show jumping, just the country's second gold and third medal of these Olympics. That one medal came for making a horse jump and another came in the women's triathlon is an interesting dichotomy, to be sure.

Also interesting: sailing! Australia won the men's 49er competition, adding a rare gold to its underwhelming medal haul, New Zealand took silver, and Denmark took bronze.

China continued its reign in table tennis, winning gold in the men's team competition. South Korea settled for silver in the event, and Germany earned bronze.

Hungary's two golds give it nine in the Olympics, good for ninth in the official London 2012 medal rankings. The Hungarians are in 13th in the medal count.

China and the U.S. have each taken just one medal on Day 12, leaving the U.S.'s deficit to its greatest Olympic rival at four medals entering the evening.

Here is how the top five looks in the latest medal count:

1. China, 75 (34 gold, 21 silver, 19 bronze)
2. United States, 71 (30, 19, 22)
3. Great Britain, 48 (22, 13, 13)
4. Russia, 48 (10, 18, 20)
5. Japan, 29 (2, 13, 14)

For more on the Olympics, check out SB Nation's London 2012 Olympics hub.

Dutch Women's Field Hockey Advances To Gold-Medal Match On Thrilling Penalty Shots

Maartje Paumen led the Dutch team into overtime, where they toppled New Zealand, 2-2 (3:1 SOC)

U.S. Men's Volleyball Loses To Italy, Ending Hopes Of Repeat Gold Medal

The defending gold medalist USA men’s volleyball team fell victim to a tough draw and a poor performance on Wednesday. They were bounced from the Olympics in the quarterfinals, losing to a strong Italian squad in straight sets.

The fifth-ranked U.S. squad looked good in the preliminary round, winning group B over top-ranked Brazil, but they met their match against the sixth-ranked Italians. The American had a set point in the first-set, failed to convert, and ended up losing, 28-26. After that it seemed like the Italians had a mental edge over the U.S., as the Americans failed to generate enough offense, only staying in the games based on the strength of their blocking, which left them in the third set.

Perhaps the most telling stat was how much Italy dominated serve in the match with nine aces to only two for the USA. Ultimately Italy won 28-26, 25-20, 25-20 and advances to take on the Brazilians in the semifinals. Brazil breezed past Argentina in straight sets earlier Wednesday.

For more on the Olympics, check out SB Nation's London 2012 Olympics Hub

Track & Field Schedule: How To Watch Usain Bolt, Allyson Felix Run Online

Usain Bolt will once again take center stage at the 2012 Olympics in London on Wednesday. He'll run in the semifinals of the men's 200 meters, and is looking to be the first man ever to double up on 100m and 200m gold in two consecutive Olympiads. But Allyson Felix may put on the show-stopping performance of the day: The American is heavily favored to win the women's 200m, which will hold its finals on Wednesday.

As NBC won't be airing television coverage of the track and field medal finals until primetime, NBC Live Extra is your friend for free and legal streams on Internet-ready devices. The NBC Live Extra track and field stream for Wednesday begins coverage at 12:55 p.m. ET, with coverage of the decathlon and some qualifying heats, but the meat of the day doesn't begin until 3:05 p.m. ET.

Here are the highlights from the afternoon schedule:

• 3:05 p.m. - Women's Long Jump Final
• 3:10 p.m. - Men's 200m Semifinals
• 3:45 p.m. - Women's 400m Hurdles Final
• 4:00 p.m. - Women's 200m Final
• 4:15 p.m. - Men's 110m Hurdles Final

For more on the Olympics, check out SB Nation's London 2012 Olympics Hub. For more on Olympic athletics, follow the 2012 Olympic athletics section.

Horse Named London Takes Silver In London

Swiss horse master (is that what we call them?) Steve Guerdat won equestrian gold in individual show jumping on his horse Nino Des Buissonnets. Gerco Schroder of the Netherlands and Cian O’Connor of Ireland tied for second, which of course means it’s a jump-off.

Schroder won the jump-off, but of course he did, just look at the name of his horse – London. Like a horse named London wasn’t going to win a medal in London (well the horse doesn’t win the medal, but you get the idea). It hardly seems fair, but yes, in London a horse named London beat an Irishman. No word on if this type of horse naming chicanery gave Schroder an advantage or is even legal in the rough and tumble world of equestrian.

American Rich Fellers, who might have the most appropriate equestrian name of all time, finished in eighth on his horse Flexible.

For more on the Olympics, check out SB Nation's London 2012 Olympics Hub

Track Fight! Lolo Jones' Teammates Make For Awkward TV

American Claressa Shields Advances To Gold Medal Match, Teammate Marlen Esparze Wins Bronze

The American men may have been shut out of the medals in the 2012 Olympics, but two American women will be heading home with hardware after their solid performances in the ring. Claressa Shields will have a chance to fight for a gold medal in the women's middleweight tournament, while Marlen Esparza is heading home with a bronze medal.

Esparza had an excellent flyweight tournament, but will almost certainly be disappointed that she came up short of the final bout. She was defeated, 10-8, by Chinese boxer Ren Cancan on Wednesday. Cancan moves on to face Great Britain's Nicola Adams in the final on Thursday. There is no bronze medal match, and Esparza will share the bronze with Chungneijang Mery Kom Hmangte of India.

Shields was dominant in her semifinal bout, defeating Marina Volnova of Kazakhstan 29-15. She awaits the winner of the other semifinal match between Li Jinzi and Nadezda Torlopova.

For more on the Olympics, check out SB Nation's London 2012 Olympics Hub.

Olympic Basketball Schedule: Quarterfinals Hit On Wednesday

The quarterfinal round of the Olympic men's basketball tournament begins on Wednesday. Team USA will face Australia.

Americans Shut Out In Men's Boxing; 2 American Women Remain

For the first time ever, the United States men will not medal in boxing. Their final chance at a medal was dashed on Tuesday, when welterweight Errol Spence was defeated by Russian boxer Andrey Zamkovoy. He was the last American man remaining, and his defeat in the quarterfinals ensured a medal shutout. SB Nation's boxing blog Bad Left Hook recapped the fight.

Spence gave an effort but never looked totally comfortable in there. Zamkovoy was more polished, which has been a problem in Beijing and London for the American team, and that comes down to coaching and the system itself more than our athletes.

In the women's tournament, two Americans remain and will compete in the semifinals on Wednesday. Marlen Esparza takes on Cancan Ren of China in the women's 51kg Flyweight competition, while Claressa Shields fights Marina Volnova of Kazakhstan in the women's 75kg Middleweight tournament.

For more on the Olympics, check out SB Nation's London 2012 Olympics hub.

Men's 5000m: Mo Farah, Galen Rupp Among Qualifiers For Final

Mo Farah will have a chance to clinch a spectacular double in track and field after he comfortably qualified for the men's 5,000 meters in the first round on Wednesday. Farah won the 10,000 meters in dramatic fashion in front of a raucous home crowd at the Olympic Stadium, and will be one of the favorites in the 5,000 meter final, as he's the current reigning world champion in the event.

Galen Rupp, Farah's training partner and the silver medalist in the 10,000 meters, also qualified for the final. Farah, Rupp and American Bernard Lagat, who finished second at the World Championships in 2009 and 2011, all finished in the middle of the pack of qualifying runners and were almost certainly saving something for the final. Hayle Ibrahimov of Azerbaijan won the first heat, which featured Farah and had a slower pace than the second heat. Dejen Gebremeskel of Ethiopa, who won bronze at the World Championships, won the second heat with Rupp and Lagat.

The third member of Team USA, Lopez Lamong, a South Sudanese-born American and one of "Lost Boys of Sudan," also qualified for the final, running a 13:26.16. No American has medaled in the 5000m since 1964, when the U.S. took home gold and bronze.

The final of the men's 5000m is Friday at 2:30 p.m. ET.

For more on the Olympics, check out SB Nation's London 2012 Olympics hub.

Americans Ashton Eaton, Trey Hardee Early Leaders In Men's Decathlon After 2 Events

American Ashton Eaton is the early leader in men's decathlon at the 2012 Summer Olympics following the first two events Wednesday morning. Eaton had the best performance in both the 100 meters and long jump, putting him first place with 2079 points. Another member of Team USA, Trey Hardee, two-time defending World Champion, is second, with 1936 points.

All eyes are on Eaton after he scored 9,039 total points at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in June, breaking Roman Serbie's 11-year world record. He was also the runner-up to Hardee at the 2011 World Championships

Eaton got off to the best start possible Wednesday morning, winning the 100m dash in 10.35 seconds, and placing first in long jump with a leap of 8.03 meters. Eaton's time in the 100m beat the 10.41s run by American Bill Toomey 44 years ago. Canada's Damian Warner is in third place after the first two events.

Decathlon is a two-day, 10-event competition. Day 1 consists of 100m, long jump, shot put, high jump and 400m, and on Day 2 it's 110m hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw and 1500m.

American Bryan Clay, 2008 gold medalist, failed to qualify for London.

For more on the Olympics, check out SB Nation's London 2012 Olympics Hub.

What To Watch, Day 12: Showdown On The Sand, Quarterfinals Abound

What To Watch Wednesday at the Summer Olympics, including an all-U.S. women's beach volleyball match, quarterfinals in men's volleyball, water polo and basketball, and a loaded women's 200m dash.

Hungary Wins 2 Kayak Gold, Germany Adds 4 Canoe Sprint Medals

In the four medal events in canoe and kayak early on Wednesday, Germany managed to capture four medals, finishing in the top three of each of the four events. Its lone gold medal in that haul was won by Sebastian Brendel, who won the 1000 meters men's single canoe.

David Cal Figueroa of Spain captured silver in that event, while Canadian Mark Oldershaw grabbed the bronze. In the 500 meter women's four kayak, the team from Hungary won a close race in which the top four kayaks were separated by less than one second. Germany came in second for silver, while bronze went to Belarus.

Norway's Eirik Veras Larsen won the gold medal in the 1000 meter men's single kayak, followed by Adam van Koeverden of Canada in second and Max Hoff of Germany in third. In the 1000 meter men's double kayak, Hungary finished first ahead of Portugal and Spain.

Complete results from Wednesday's Canoe Sprint events:

Men's Kayak Single (K1) 1000m

Gold: Eirik Veras Larsen (Norway)
Silver: Adam van Koeverden (Canada)
Bronze: Max Hoff (Germany)

Men's Canoe Single (C1) 1000m

Gold: Sebastian Brendel (Germany)
Silver: David Cal Figueroa (Spain)
Bronze: Mark Oldershaw (Canada)

Men's Kayak double (K2) 1000m

Gold: Hungary (Dombi/Kokeny)
Silver: Portugal (Pimenta/Silva)
Bronze: Germany (Hollstein/Ihle)

Women's Kayak Four (K4) 500m

Gold: Hungary
Silver: Germany
Bronze: Belarus

For more on the Olympics, check out SB Nation's London 2012 Olympics hub.

Track & Field: Event Schedule, TV Coverage For Wednesday

Four track & field medals are up for grabs on Wednesday. Can the United States add a few of those to its medal count?

Summer Olympics 2012: Event Schedule, TV Coverage, Streaming For Wednesday

The 2012 London Olympics continue on Wednesday with a slate of track and field finals, and the beach volleyball gold medal match that features Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings. LeBron James and Team USA basketball will play Australia.