Rio 2016: Leeds makes mark in global rankings

Nicola Adams celebrates victory over Ukraine's Tetyana Kob. PIC: PA

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LEEDS is rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest countries in the world in the Rio 2016 Olympics medal table.

The city sat 25th in the medal table last night – ahead of Belgium, Switzerland, South Africa and even Argentina – the eighth biggest country in the world.

With four days of contest left, Leeds is already celebrating two golds through Chris Mears and Jack Laugher’s 3m synchro diving achievement and Paul Bennett’s success in the men’s eight rowing.

Jack added a 3m springboard silver as part of ‘Terrific Tuesday’ which saw four medals won in less than 24 hours, with Nicola Adams guaranteeing herself at least a bronze by winning her flyweight quarter-final.

Gymnast Nile Wilson then took bronze in the high bar before Katy Marchant secured a bronze in the women’s cycling sprint.

Amazingly, two more golds could take Leeds as high as 14th in the medal table and above Spain.

Alistair Brownlee is favourite to win the men’s triathlon today in which his brother Jonny and Leeds athlete Gordon Benson will also compete, while Nicola is also odds-on to win gold on Saturday, if she comes through tonight’s semi-final against Ren Cancan.

Leeds-based Non Stanford and Vicky Holland also hold chances in the women’s triathlon on Saturday.

Leeds City Council leader Judith Blake claimed the success in Rio has “made us all so very proud”, and added: “The exciting news is there is still lots to come.”

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