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The United States is projected to finish with 11 more gold medals than China at the Beijing Games, according to Italian Olympic official Luciano Barra’s latest forecast. In what he calls his final projection for the top 50 countries, Barra lists the U.S. at the top with 49 gold medals and 101 overall. China is next with 38 gold and 88 overall. Russia, Great Britain and Germany are also in the top five, with Australia sixth. The prediction is based on medals won in the most recent world championships, or equivalent events for sports that do not hold world championships. Last year, Barra had been projecting that China would win the most gold medals, but no more.
