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PARIS — The United States came out on top in the Olympic medal count in Paris, boasting an impressive tally of 126 medals, including 40 gold medals.
The race for dominance in the gold medal count was fierce, with China and the U.S. each securing 40 gold medals. This tie underscores the intense competition for the most coveted Olympic prizes.
China, securing a total of 91 medals, has solidified its position as America’s main competitor in the Summer Games.
Russia, once a dominant force in both Summer and Winter Olympics, was noticeably absent from the top ranks in Paris, fielding only about fifteen athletes and barely making a mark in the medal count.
How did the U.S. achieve its Olympic success? Swimming and track
In Paris, America’s Olympic success was largely driven by its prowess in swimming and track events.
In the pool, American swimmers led by Katie Ledecky and Torri Huske amassed 28 medals, including 8 gold medals.
On the track, American athletes were even more dominant, winning 34 medals in total, with 14 gold medals. These two disciplines alone contributed to roughly half of the U.S. medal haul.
China, on the other hand, excelled in different areas such as diving (8 gold medals), shooting (5 gold medals), table tennis (5 gold medals), and weightlifting (5 gold medals). This highlights the diverse strengths of both nations in different sports.
Key takeaways: France excelled, Australia exceeded expectations
Host countries often perform well in the Summer Games, and France was no exception this year.
One of the standout athletes was Léon Marchand, a young French swimmer who captured four gold medals and one bronze medal. France ended the Olympics with 64 medals, including sixteen gold medals.
Australia also punched above its weight, earning 53 medals, 18 of which were gold. Given its relatively small population of 26 million people, Australia’s per capita medal count is particularly impressive.
The International Olympic Committee also fielded a team of refugee athletes, representing displaced persons worldwide.
Among them, a Cameroonian woman, Cindy Djanjeu Ngamba, won a bronze medal in boxing, marking a significant achievement for the refugee team.
