The first gold medal of the London 2012 Olympics has been won by China, which ended the first day on top of the medal table.

Yi Siling’s victory in the women’s 10 m air rifle was the first of six medals for China, including four golds.

Mingjuan Wang took weightlifting gold, Sun Yang won China’s first male gold in swimming and Ye Shiwen, 16, set a world record in the 400 m individual medley.

Yi Siling won first gold medal of the London 2012 Olympics in the women's 10 m air rifle

Italy won five medals including a dramatic gold medal win in archery and a clean sweep in women’s fencing.

The United States have also won five medals after picking up a medal of each colour in the pool.

South Korea, Brazil, Russia, Kazakhstan and Australia were the other nations to claim golds on the opening day.

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