After the opening weekend China is leading in the London Olympics medals table despite its earlier pessimistic forecasts, the Financial Times reports.

The nation is leading the Games with a total of 12 medals – 6 gold, 4 silver, and 2 bronze. According to the FT, training for sports, with the Olympics in mind, starts young. Scouts across China measure children’s bones and assign them to sports based on their anticipated height.

Even though Chinese officials were speaking humbly about their good start in London, there was also a hint of pride. Chinese media compared the opening ceremony in London with the Beijing’s own in 2008, saying: “The fireworks and mass acrobatics of Beijing delivered a clear message: China’s time has come”.