China take second place in Infostrada Rio medal prediction

China will collect 76 medals, 28 gold medals among them, ranking second to the United States' leading 97 in total at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics next year, according to the prediction of Infostrada, a sports statistics institution.

Infostrada released its Rio Olympics medal table prediction on Thursday, ranking the traditional summer Olympics powerhouses USA, China, Russia in top three, followed by France, Germany, Australia, Britain and hosts Brazil in 4-8 places.

China remain in second place, the same as what they did in London 2012 in the prediction, but its prospective gold medal number is down to 28, 10 less than what they got from London Games, and the total medal number is also cut by 12 from London's 88.

The United States are projected to win 47 golds, at least 19 more than any other NOC, but would fall seven short of the 104 the team managed in London. Half of the medals expected to be won by USA look likely to come from athletics or swimming.

Russia's place is moved up one from London's fourth position by pulling off 74 medals, just two less than China's in total. Their gold opportunities are projected to be 25. Britain will slip four places to seventh with a total of 45 medals, dropping sharply from 65 medals four years ago as hosts.

Hosts Brazil are expected to win 10 golds, 14 silvers and three bronzes as they are on target for their best ever Olympic performance. The Brazilian team ended the London Games with a record 17 medals. As hosts, they are expected to improve to 27 medals in Rio.

In the medal table, France take fourth place with 18 golds, two more than Germany's 16, but in total medal tally, Germany are credited with 55, eight more than the French team's 47. Endi