London is positively buzzing after a dazzling opening ceremony followed by the first two competitive days of the London 2012 Olympic Games. In line with expectations, the two powerhouses from Beijing 2008 head the medals table. China and USA have 12 and 11 medals respectively. Half of China’s medals have been gold (compared to USA’s three) and they have been split across diving, swimming (Yang Sun won the 400m freestyle), shooting and weight lifting.

Eight of the USA’s 11 medals have been won in the pool. The current, top-ranked London 2012 Olympian, Ryan Lochte (pictured below), has won two medals – one gold and one silver. Meanwhile, Michael Phelps is yet to add to his gold medal haul but with a silver already to his name in London, he is just one medal away from equalling Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina, who holds the all-time Olympic record of 18 medals.

Team GB have had a mixed start. Surprisingly, there were no medals in the men’s road race on Saturday where it appeared that rival nations’ sole intentions were to stop Team GB from triumphing rather than win themselves. The hosts’ first medal of London 2012 was a silver, won by Lizzie Armitstead in the women’s road race on Sunday. Swimmer Rebecca Adlington doubled Team GB’s medal tally by finishing third in the 400m freestyle.

Today sees a busy day with medals up for grabs in the air rifle competition, judo, diving, weight-lifting, artistic gymnastics, fencing plus swimming (four swimming finals this evening).