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 Monday 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.
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.
France, USA, Japan, and China Leading the Way
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.
Impact of Absence of Russia in Paris Olympics
Russia, whose presence also dominated in past games, is not allowed to compete this year. The International Olympic Committee banned i, 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.
In considering the absence of Russian and Belarusian athletes due to sanctions, it is intriguing to observe how this exclusion impacts the overall medal count and the competitive dynamic among the leading nations. The void left by these typically strong contenders offers a unique opportunity for other countries to make their mark and potentially alter the traditional power dynamics of the Olympic Games. This shift could lead to unexpected outcomes and create a more diverse and competitive field across various events. This unprecedented situation adds an extra layer of intrigue to the ongoing medal race and underscores the broader geopolitical dimensions that often intersect with the spirit of the Olympics.
