The United States secured the top spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics by adding one more gold medal in their final match, surpassing China.
On Sunday, the U.S. defeated France by one score in the women’s basketball final at the Bercy Arena in Paris.
This victory gave the U.S. an eighth consecutive basketball championship. The U.S. secured 40 gold medals, 44 silver medals, and 42 bronze medals. China also earned 40 gold medals (with 27 silver and 24 bronze) but did not have enough silver medals compared to the U.S. This marks the fourth consecutive Olympics where the U.S. finished first overall, following the 2012 London, 2016 Rio de Janeiro, and 2020 Tokyo.
China’s dream of reclaiming the top overall position for the first time since hosting the 2008 Beijing Games fell short after 16 years.
China extended its gold medal lead by two the previous day when Li Yuan won gold in the women’s 81 kg weightlifting.
However, the U.S. reclaimed the top spot when Jennifer Valente won gold in the omnium during the Olympic track cycling event. They then added another gold medal with a women’s basketball team victory.
Japan’s Yuka Kagami earned gold in the women’s 76 kg freestyle wrestling, bringing Japan’s total to 20 golds, 12 silvers, and 13 bronzes. This achievement secured Japan third place for the second consecutive time.
Japan performed best at the Tokyo Games three years ago with 27 golds, 14 silvers, and 17 bronzes. Their goal for the Paris Games was 20 golds.
Australia finished fourth, with a record 18 gold medals along with 19 silvers and 16 bronzes.
Host nation France achieved its best performance since World War II, finishing fifth place with 16 golds, 25 silvers, and 22 bronzes.
South Korea sent one of its smallest contingents of athletes—144 across 21 sports—since the 1976 Montreal Olympics. The country secured 13 golds, 9 silvers, and 10 bronzes, finishing in eighth place. The 13 gold medals tie the record for the most golds at a single Olympics, matching the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Games totals. South Korea returned to the top 10 for the first time in eight years since the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.
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