Britain has finished second in the league table at the 2016 Rio Olympics, smashing their medal target.
Finishing behind the US, 130 out of 366 British athletes achieved medals, enough to knock China to third position. Out of the 130 athletes, 59 women and 71 men were rewarded with a medal for their achievements.
Amongst the medals, Britain’s athletes achieved a number of firsts, including Bryony Page winning silver in the trampoline; a first medal since the event was introduced back in 2000. Sophie Hitchon was also awarded Britain’s first ever medal in the women’s hammer.
The Rio Olympics also saw a number of other heroic achievements such as rower Katherine Grainger becoming the first British woman to win medals at five consecutive Olympics, after her silver win in the women’s double sculls.
Cyclist Laura Trott also made British Olympic history, becoming the first woman to win four Olympic gold medals.
Speaking to The Guardian, Trott said, “To do what I did in London and to come here and do it again, honestly I cannot believe it.”
“When you see people who I idolise backing up in successive Olympics, like Sir Chris Hoy and my fiancé Jason, I wondered how on earth these people do it. So for me to be able to come here and do it just makes me feel so proud.”
Speaking of the remarkable achievements at the Olympic Games, Prime Minister Theresa May said, “For the past fortnight, the people of the United Kingdom have been filled with pride as we’ve watched our Olympians take victory in so many sports with power, grace and control. In every discipline and at every stage, Team GB have shown the world what we’re made of: determination, dignity and true sportsmanship.”
“Rio 2016 will be remembered as a history-making Olympics for Britain, one where we took more medals than we have ever done at an overseas Games.”
“The euphoria of London 2012 didn’t end four years ago, and it doesn’t end now – we still have the Paralympic Games to look forward to. It will continue on the streets of Britain as we plan a parade in Manchester, alongside the British Olympic and Paralympic Associations. It will be a celebration fit for heroes – and rightly so, because that is exactly what they are.”
