The United States topped the medal standings at the Paris Olympics, achieving an impressive total of 126 medals, which included 40 golds. The competition for gold, a highly sought-after prize, was intense, with both the U.S. and China finishing with 40 gold medals each. However, China secured second place with a total of 91 medals, solidifying its status as America’s main competitor in the Summer Games.
In contrast, Russia, historically a dominant force in both Summer and Winter Olympics, had a minimal presence in Paris, fielding only about fifteen athletes and contributing little to the overall medal tally.
The success of Team USA can largely be attributed to standout performances in swimming and track and field. U.S. swimmers, led by Katie Ledecky and Torri Huske, brought home 28 medals, including 8 golds. In athletics, American competitors excelled even further, winning 34 medals, with 14 of those being gold. Together, these two sports accounted for nearly half of the United States’ total medals.
In comparison, China’s gold medals came primarily from diving (8 gold), shooting (5 gold), table tennis (5 gold), and wrestling (5 gold), showcasing a different competitive focus.
The host nation, France, also performed well at the Olympics, with standout swimmer Léon Marchand winning four golds and a bronze. France secured a total of 64 medals, 16 of which were gold.
Australia also distinguished itself, claiming 53 medals — 18 of them gold — despite having a smaller population of about 26 million, leading to a remarkable per capita medal count.
In a significant move, the International Olympic Committee included a team of refugee athletes, who represented displaced individuals globally. A notable success came from Cameroon’s Cindy Djanjeu Ngamba, who earned the team’s only bronze medal in boxing.