Summer Olympics 2012: Team USA Leads London Medal Count

Team USA retained their lead in the overall 2012 London Olympics medal count on Friday, ending the day with a total of 43 medals, one more than China. The US also took the lead in the most gold medals, now holding 21 to China's 20. Athletes from the United States collected six medals on Friday, including one by Saunderstown, RI native Elizabeth Beisel.

The top five in the 2012 London Olympics medal count:

United States, 43 (21 gold, 10 silver, 12 bronze)
China, 42 (20, 13, 9)
Russia, 23 (3, 12, 8)
Great Britain, 17 (8, 6, 8)
Japan, 17 (2, 8, 11)

The athletes who medaled on Friday are:

Michael Phelps, gold, Men's 100m butterfly
Missy Franklin, gold, women's 200m backstroke
Elizabeth Beisel, bronze, women's 200m backstroke
Katie Ledecky, gold, women's 800m freestyle
Cullen Jones, silver, Men's 50m freestyle
Reese Hoffa, bronze, men's shotput

That gives Team USA swimmers five of the day's six medals, making them responsible for 28 of the 43 total. In Friday's non-medal action, the women's soccer team advanced over New Zealand with a 2-0 victory, and the women's basketball team beat the Czech Republic 88-61. Complete results from the day's action can be found here.

For a full medal tracker, use SI.com. Stick with SB Nation Boston for more coverage of local athletes in the 2012 Games. For complete coverage of the Summer Olympics, head over to SB Nation's Olympics hub.