Team USA Secures First Place in Olympic Medal Count Amid Intense Rivalry with China By Mirek Zastavnyi

By Mirek Zastavnyi

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Team USA once again asserted its dominance on the global sports stage, clinching first place in the overall medal count. American athletes earned 40 gold medals, matching China’s tally, but the United States pulled ahead in the total medal count thanks to a higher number of silver and bronze medals. The U.S. team finished with 126 medals in total, marking the second-best performance in its history, following the triumphant 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, where Team USA won 174 medals, including 83 golds.

Final Medal Table:

1. USA — 40 gold, 44 silver, 42 bronze (126 total)
2. China — 40 gold, 27 silver, 24 bronze (91 total)
3. Japan— 20 gold, 12 silver, 13 bronze (45 total)
4. Australia — 18 gold, 19 silver, 16 bronze (53 total)
5. France — 16 gold, 26 silver, 22 bronze (64 total)

Thrilling Final Week of Team Competitions

The final week of the Olympics was packed with thrilling team competitions, especially in basketball.

Women’s Basketball: 

Team USA displayed its strength from the start, defeating Nigeria 88-74 in the quarterfinals. The American women then easily handled Australia in the semifinals, winning 85-64. The final against host nation France was a nail-biter, with the U.S. eking out a 67-66 victory to claim the gold medal.

Men’s Basketball: 

The U.S. men’s team also faced a series of intense matchups. They cruised past Brazil in the quarterfinals with a 122-87 win. The semifinal against Serbia was a true test of resilience; after trailing by 15 points at the end of the third quarter, veterans LeBron James and Stephen Curry led a comeback, securing a 95-91 victory. In the final, Team USA defeated France 98-87, with Stephen Curry named MVP after his three-point shooting barrage. This victory marked the 17th Olympic title for the U.S. men’s basketball team, and their fifth consecutive gold. Kevin Durant set a new Olympic record as the first and only male basketball player to win four gold medals, all in a row from 2012 to 2024.

Men’s Soccer

The men’s football gold medal match at the 2024 Olympics was a real thriller. The host nation, France, started strong, taking a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute. However, Spain showed great character and turned the game around before halftime, leading 3-1. The French team fought back and leveled the score before the end of regulation time, forcing extra time. In extra time, Spain proved to be the stronger team, scoring two goals to secure the gold medal. This victory added to Spain’s dominant year in football, as they also claimed the European Championship titles for both the senior and U-19 teams.

Women’s Soccer: 

In a hard-fought semifinal, the U.S. women’s soccer team edged out Germany with a 1-0 win. The final was equally challenging, but the American women prevailed, defeating Brazil 1-0 to secure their fifth Olympic gold, the most of any women’s soccer team in history. This remarkable achievement underscores the U.S.’s dominance in women’s soccer.

These outstanding accomplishments further solidify Team USA’s status as a sports superpower. Finishing first in the overall medal count at the 2024 Olympics is yet another testament to the enduring excellence of American athletes. From swimming to team sports, the U.S. showcased unparalleled skill and an indomitable spirit, setting a global standard for athletic achievement.