The United States of America secured a remarkable victory at the 2024 Olympic Games, while Kenya emerged as the leading African nation on the medal table.
The United States emerged victorious in the XXXIII edition of the Olympic Games held in Paris on Sunday, albeit by a narrow margin.
They secured the top position in the 2024 Olympics medal
standings by achieving 40 gold medals, with the final event concluding on
Sunday. The U.S. surpassed China by virtue of winning a greater number of
silver medals, amassing 44 compared to China's 27.
While both nations claimed 40 gold medals, China fell short
with only 27 silvers. Notably, China was the last nation, aside from the U.S.,
to lead the medal table, having done so during the 2008 Beijing Games on their
home turf.
The U.S. women's basketball team contributed significantly
to their nation's success by defeating the host nation, France, to secure the
final gold medal of the Games.
In total medal counts, the United States led with 126
medals, while China followed with 91, including 42 bronze medals against
China's 24. Japan secured third place with 20 gold, 12 silver, and 13 bronze
medals, totaling 45, while Australia ranked fourth with 18 gold, 19 silver, and
16 bronze for a total of 53.
The host nation, France, finished fifth with 16 gold, 26
silver, and 22 bronze medals, totaling 64.
However, only 12 African nations appeared on the medal
table, with Kenya leading the group by earning four gold, two silver, and five
bronze medals, finishing in 17th place.
Other African nations that made the medal table included
Algeria, tied for 39th with two gold and one bronze for a total of three
medals.
South Africa ranked joint 44th with six medals (1 gold, 3
silver, 2 bronze), while Ethiopia placed 47th with four medals (1 gold, 3
silver).
Egypt and Tunisia were both joint 52nd with three medals
each, consisting of one gold, one silver, and one bronze. Botswana and Uganda
also shared the 55th position with two medals each, comprising one gold and one
silver.
Morocco was ranked 60th with one gold and one bronze for a
total of two medals, while Côte d'Ivoire, along with Cape Verde and Zambia,
occupied the 84th position with one bronze each.
Reports indicate that Nigeria did not feature on the medal
table at the Olympic Games, which included 205 participating countries.
The forthcoming iteration of the Olympic Games is slated to
transpire in the year 2028, with Los Angeles, situated within the United
States, serving as the designated host city.
