Daily Mail reported that the United States topped the final medal count at the 2024 Paris Olympics, edging out China with more silver medals.
Both countries won 40 gold medals, but the U.S. secured 44 silvers compared to China's 27. The Americans also collected 42 bronze medals for 126, surpassing China's overall tally of 91.
In the last event of the Games, the U.S. women's basketball team narrowly defeated host nation France 67-66 to clinch the nation's 40th gold. It marked the eighth consecutive Olympic title for the American women.
Other key contributors to the U.S. gold medal haul included swimmers Katie Ledecky and Simone Biles and the men's basketball team featuring NBA stars LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant. The team beat France 98-87 in the final.
The athletes from the United States showcased their prowess across individual and team events. Prominent among these were Katie Ledecky, Simone Biles, and Rai Benjamin, each of whom added gold medals to the U.S. tally.
Simone Biles was particularly outstanding, securing three golds and a silver, further cementing her status in gymnastics. Her achievements contributed significantly to the nation's overall success.
The contributions came in individual sports and team events, with LeBron James leading the U.S. men’s basketball team to victory and being named the Most Valuable Player (MVP).
The U.S. women’s basketball team confirmed their global dominance by winning their eighth consecutive Olympic gold. A'ja Wilson, pivotal in this victory, expressed immense pride in the team’s legacy and resilience.
A'ja Wilson said:
The dynasty we have built here at USAB is incredible. I'm so proud and blessed to be a part of it, but God was working today. I'm so proud of the resilience my team showed, we could have fumbled it many times, but we pulled through.
France, the host nation, finished with an impressive 16 gold medals out of 64 total, marking their most successful Olympics in over a century. This performance underlined the success of the local athletes and provided a significant morale boost for the hosts.
Other countries also fared well, with Great Britain locking down third place with a total of 65 medals, including 14 golds. Australia followed closely, securing fifth place with 53 medals, led by their 18 golds.
Japan took sixth place with 20 golds. The Netherlands, Germany, and South Korea also made it to the top ten, demonstrating the depth and diversity of talent across the competing nations.
The Paris Olympics were defined by remarkable performances and fierce competition for the medals table. The U.S. emerged victorious in the medal count, propelled by outstanding individual and team performances across various sports. Led by athletes like Simone Biles in gymnastics, LeBron James in basketball, and A'ja Wilson, the Americans displayed resilience and skill. Meanwhile, other nations also celebrated significant achievements, with France enjoying their best turnout in over a century and multiple nations marking their presence in the top ten of the medal tally.
