Sochi Olympics: Dominance begins: Netherlands sweeps men's 5,000 - by Paul Myerberg

Gold - Silver and Bronze for the Netherlands

In the world of men's speed skating — and in the long-distance races in particular — the rest of the world is chasing the Netherlands, a country that views Olympic dominance as a quadrennial birthright.

Theirs is a skating powerhouse that stems in large part from the Netherlands' devotion to the sport. While soccer rules on sunny days, speed skating occupies the country's undivided attention throughout the winter, and during Olympic years in particular.

But perhaps never in its skating history have the Dutch experienced a day quite like Saturday, when a trio of skaters completed a clean sweep of the medal podium in the 5,000 meters

Read more: Dominance begins: Netherlands sweeps men's 5,000

London 2012 Olympics: Medal Count - European Union on top with 140 medals

Reviewing the official Olympics medal count as of August 4  the European Union collectively have a total of 140 medals followed by China with 59 and the US with 56. 

Read more: Medal Count - Olympic Medal Standings - Official Results | London 2012

The official website of the BEIJING 2008 Olympic Games: Overall Medal Standings

For the complete report from The official website of the BEIJING 2008 Olympic Games click on this link

Overall Medal Standings

Beijing Olympics: Overall Medal Standings - - EU Nations total 72, China 35, US 34

For the complete report from Beijing Olympics click on this link

Overall Medal Standings - EU Nations total 72, China 35 and the US 34

If the EU had participated in the Olympics as a Federation of Nations they would be the overwhelming total medal holders with 72 medals won so far versus 35 for China and 34 for the US.