Olympic Medal Count 2012: Kazakhstan's Glorious Streak Comes To An End

The United States is still trailing China in the total medal count. That's not important; you probably knew that already. My friends, we come to you with a heavy heart because one of the best streaks at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London has come to an ignoble end. Kazakhstan's perfect record has been irrevocably tarnished.

It all started so wonderfully: first a gold medal in cycling on Day 1, then a pair of gold medals in women's weightlifting. For more than a week, Kazakhstan maintained the ideal all-or-nothing approach. Every medal they won was gold. They would not settle for any meager, lesser medals; only the best would do for Kazakhstan.

And then, on Tuesday: tragedy. After going a flawless six-for-six, Danyal Gajiyev disgraced his nation by winning the (shudder) bronze medal in men's 84kg Greco-Roman wrestling. Despair. Horror. To make matters worse, it was one of TWO bronze medals handed out in the event. Disgraceful. Unforgivable.

Kazakhstan now has seven total medals, tying them for 22nd in the overall medal count with Cuba and Sweden. But only six are gold. We'll remember the good times. For now, though: a moment of silence.

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

1. China, 73 (34 gold, 21 silver, 18 bronze)
2. United States, 70 (30, 19, 21)
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.