Beijing, March 26 (IANS): China will collect 76 medals, among them 28 golds, ranking second to the United States' 97 at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, according to the prediction of Infostrada, a sports statistics institution.

Infostrada released its Rio Olympics medal table prediction on Thursday, ranking the traditional Summer Olympic powerhouses US, China, Russia in top three, followed by France, Germany, Australia, Britain and hosts Brazil in 4-8 places, reports Xinhua.

China remain in second place, the same as what they did in London 2012 in the prediction, but its prospective golds are down to 28, 10 less than what they got in London, and the total medal number is also down by 12 from London's 88.

The US is projected to win 47 golds, 19 more than any other National Olympic Committee (NOC), but would fall seven short of the 104 the contingent managed in London. Half of the medals expected to be won by US look likely to come from athletics or swimming.

Russia's place is moved up one from London's fourth position by pulling off 74 medals, just two less than China's total. Their gold opportunities are projected to be 25. Britain will slip four places to seventh with 45 medals, dropping sharply from 65 four years ago as hosts.

Hosts Brazil are expected to win 10 golds, 14 silvers and three bronzes as they are on target for their best ever Olympic performance. Brazil ended the London Games with a record 17 medals. As hosts, they are expected to improve to 27.

In the medals table, France take fourth place with 18 golds, two more than Germany's 16, but in total, Germany are credited with 55, eight more than France's 47.