London 2012: Brownlee Brothers Win Means Yorkshire Would Be Tenth In Medals Table (PICTURES)

Yorkshire Gold: County Would Be Tenth In Medals Table

Could the Olympics see the start of a call for a Yorkshire republic as the county decides, justifiably, that the rest of the UK is holding it back?

The county, known as "God's own country", would be tenth in the medals table - above the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia - if it were an independent nation.

Athletes from Yorkshire have now bagged five golds, two silvers and three bronze medals, and the county has produced some of the biggest stars of the Games so far.

Yorkshire's Alistair Brownlee reacts as he crosses the finish line to win the gold medal in the men's triathlon

The latest medallists under the "Team Yorkshire" banner are the Brownlee brothers from Leeds.

Hundreds in Leeds' Millennium Square watched Alistair Brownlee take gold in the triathlon on Tuesday, and his brother Jonny win bronze after a 15 second penalty.

Members of the Leeds Metropolitan University triathlon team, where the brothers train, were among those cheering the pair to glory.

Fans watch Jessica Ennis win the 800 metres in the Heptathlon confirming a gold in the event, on the big screen at the Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield

Robert Bridges, a triathlete with the team, described the brothers as "sound".

He said: "This was exceptional for Alistair and getting the bronze is a fantastic achievement for Jonny."

Sheffield-born gold medal heptathlete Jessica Ennis still lives and trains in the city.

The Sheffield Star reported plans to give her the Freedom of the City.

Sheffield Council leader Coun Julie Dore said: “A homegrown gold medal winner being born and bred in the city, Jessica is truly ‘Made in Sheffield’ and we are bursting with joy to take her see Olympic gold.”

Cyclist Ed Clancy from Huddersfield, won gold in the men's team pursuit and bronze in the omnium.

Jessica Ennis is one of the many athletes in 'Team Yorkshire'

Hebden Bridge's Andrew Triggs-Hodge was in Team GB's gold-winning men's coxless four and Katherine Copeland who won the women's lightweight double sculls is from Stokesley, both in North Yorkshire.

Team GB's first medallist Lizzie Armitstead is from Otley - taking silver in the women's road race. Northallerton's Nicola Wilson won silver in the team eventing.

And boxer Luke Campbell, from Hull, is also guaranteed at least a bronze medal after reaching the Bantamweight semi-finals.

Former cricket umpire Dickie Bird, from Barnsley, said: "The Yorkshire competitors have done absolutely brilliant."

And, should the longed-for republic ever come into existence, the people of Yorkshire should have no problem finding someone to lead their Olympic bid to host the Games at the Don Valley Stadium.

Lord Coe might be tempted to head the bid - having been brought up in Sheffield.

Suggestions for events, under the Twitter hashtag #yorkshireolympics, have included terrier-throwing, the tripe-athalon, whippet dressage and grim-nastics.

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