Final Medal Count at the 2024 Olympics: Did the USA Claim the Most Medals?

The United States emerged as the top medal winner at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, securing the highest total medal count. However, in terms of gold medals, the U.S. was in a deadlock with China, with both nations earning 40 golds each, according to the official Olympic tracking.

The U.S. boosted its overall count with 44 silver and 42 bronze medals, bringing its total to 126 medals. In comparison, China finished with a total of 91 medals, consisting of 40 gold, 27 silver, and 24 bronze.

Here’s a look at the other top 10 countries by gold medals won:

• Japan: 20 gold (45 total)
• Australia: 18 gold (53 total)
• France: 16 gold (64 total)
• Netherlands: 15 gold (34 total)
• Great Britain: 14 gold (65 total)
• Korea: 13 gold (32 total)
• Italy: 12 gold (40 total)
• Germany: 12 gold (33 total)

Olympic rankings are primarily based on the number of gold medals won. The last instance when the U.S. did not top the medal standings was in 2008, during the Beijing Olympics, where China led with 48 golds, surpassing the U.S.'s 36.

A historic moment occurred at the Paris Olympics as a member of the Refugee Olympic Team won a medal for the first time. Cindy Ngamba, a boxer, secured a bronze medal representing the team, which was established by the International Olympic Committee in 2015 to spotlight the challenges faced by refugees worldwide. The team sent 37 athletes to Paris, competing in 12 sports.

Ngamba's story is particularly inspiring. Born in Cameroon, she moved to England at age 11 and has lived there for over a decade, though her application for British citizenship has been repeatedly denied. Ngamba, who is gay, cannot return to Cameroon, where same-sex relationships are criminalized and can result in up to five years in prison.