As the world’s greatest athletes compete for both individual glory and national pride at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, spectators at home will also wonder which country will have the honor of raking in the most medals.
The U.S., Japan and China and the host country, France, were leading the medal count by Tuesday as the Paris Games were only just beginning.
Team France and Team USA started this year’s competition in a neck-and-neck battle for most medals overall, the country putting on the Games vs. the 2028 host. The U.S. edged ahead to lead the pack Monday after a strong showing in skateboarding, swimming and men’s gymnastics.
Simone Biles became the most decorated Olympic gymnast as she earned a gold medal with the women’s gymnastics team.
The women’s rugby sevens team also made Team USA history Tuesday by earning its first-ever medal in the bronze medal game against Australia. It’s the first rugby medal for the U.S. since the men won gold at the 1924 Olympics, which were also hosted in Paris.
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Both countries also have slight advantages by just the sheer volume of athletes who are representing them.
The U.S. has the largest delegation, with 594 athletes. France closely follows, with 571.
Japan tied China for third-most medals by Monday evening, helped by the men’s gymnastics team and a last-minute upset by skateboarder Yoto Horigome. But China has the distinction of winning the competition’s first gold in the 10-meter air rifle mixed team event Saturday morning.
French Olympians have showed their range in a variety of sports already by medaling in at least eight athletic genres. Meanwhile, the U.S. started strong in the water, with 11 of its early medals coming from swimming competitions.
The U.S. is most likely looking for a repeat of its formidable presence at the 2020 Tokyo Games, where it won 113 medals. That’s the most of any country by a significant amount, with China’s 89 medals next.
Russia, whose presence also dominated in past games, is not allowed to compete this year. The International Olympic Committee banned Russia, along with Belarus, as part of sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Competitors from those countries may participate only as “Individual Neutral Athletes,” and their medals will not be counted for the nations. No one who has actively supported the war for either Belarus or Russia is eligible to compete.
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