Yorkshire continues rise in Olympic medals table

The reigning world champion, from Horsforth, West Yorkshire, walked over the finishing line to claim a 19th gold for team GB and a fifth for “God’s own county”.

Local newspapers and radio stations first began pointing out Yorkshire‘s outstanding contribution to the British medal haul on Sunday, when Sheffield’s Jessica Ennis bagged gold in the heptathlon.

If England’s largest county were a separate nation, it would be in eleventh place in the Olympic medal table, with five golds, two silvers and three bronzes.

That means Yorkshire athletes are outperforming Japan, Brazil, Spain and – most importantly as far as bragging rights are concerned – Australia, who are currently languishing in 19th position.

The county’s golds have come courtesy of Ennis, Brownlee, Cyclist Ed Clancy and rowers Katherine Copeland and Andrew Triggs Hodge.

Cyclist Lizzie Armitstead and show jumper Nicola Wilson have bagged silvers while the bronzes are down to Clancy, Alistair’s brother and fellow triathlete Jonny Brownlee and rower Tom Ransley.

And with two boxers from the county – Nicola Adams and Luke Campbell – guaranteed medals, the run is not over yet.

How Yorkshire are they?

Cynics have pointed out that this all relies on a loose interpretation of Yorkshire “nationality”.

Between 1968 and 1992, Yorkshire County Cricket Club apparently only accepted players who had been born within the historic boundaries of the three Ridings.

If the same rule were applied to Olympians Triggs Hodge, Copeland and Ransley would all be ruled out.

Others members of team Yorkshire are more secure in their identity. Alistair Brownlee was born and raised in Dewsbury and when he left Yorkshire to study at Cambridge University, it did not last long. He left after one term and went to Leeds instead.

Ennis was born in Sheffield, studied there and lives there now. The town is reportedly planning a permanent monument to celebrate her achievements.

Yorkshire folk are wonderful, wonderful people known for their hard work and sheer Yorkshire grit. Dickie Bird

Of course, individual members of rowing, cycling and equestrian teams wouldn’t have won anything if Yorkshire had declared independence.

But quibbling aside, Yorkshire’s success has been hailed by famous sons and daughters of the white rose county including cricket umpire Dickie Bird, who said: “The Yorkshire competitors have done absolutely brilliantly.”

“Yorkshire folk are wonderful, wonderful people known for their hard work and sheer Yorkshire grit which has pulled them through.”

Ennis’s javelin coach Mick Hill put the success down to “Yorkshire pride”. All that may be true although demographics may have more to do with it, as the area is home to more than 5 million people and two of Britain’s biggest cities – Sheffield and Leeds.

London snapping at Yorkshire’s heels

The London Evening Standard has followed the lead of Yorkshire news outlets by producing its own roll-call of athletes who hail from within the M25.

The imaginary Team London has won more medals overall but fewer golds than Team Yorkshire.

Londoners also have a clutch of booty all their own. Boris Johnson

Gold medals for distance runner Mo Farah, cyclist Bradley Wiggins, cyclist Joanna Rowsell and show jumper Ben Maher – as well as six silvers from others – mean an independent London would be in 11th place in the global medal rankings.

That is one place below Yorkshire but still well above Australia, as Boris Johnson could not resist mentioning.

The Mayor of London told the Standard: “London has not only staged the best Games in history but Londoners also have a clutch of booty all their own.

“Only two weeks ago I’d asked if Team GB could overhaul the likes of Australia in the medal table? Now it seems London on its own sits proudly atop our antipodean cousins.”