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U.S. Win at 2024 Olympics; Kenya Leads African Countries on Medal Table

Published by Tope Fakinlede on August 12th, 2024.

U.S. Win at 2024 Olympics; Kenya Leads African Countries on Medal Table

The United States emerged as the winner of the XXXIII Olympic Games in Paris on Sunday, narrowly securing first place. The U.S. led the final medals table with 40 gold medals, edging out China by a slim margin. Their victory was confirmed after the last event of the Games concluded, with the U.S. surpassing China by virtue of a higher number of silver medals—44 compared to China’s 27.

China, which last topped the standings at the 2008 Beijing Games, fell to second place despite a strong showing. The U.S. also led in overall medal count, with a total of 126 medals, including 42 bronze, while China accumulated 91 medals with 24 bronze.

Japan finished third with a total of 45 medals, including 20 gold, 12 silver, and 13 bronze. Australia followed in fourth place with 53 medals, comprising 18 gold, 19 silver, and 16 bronze. Host nation France rounded out the top five, securing 64 medals with 16 gold, 26 silver, and 22 bronze.

In terms of African nations, Kenya led the continent with four gold, two silver, and five bronze medals, finishing 17th overall. Algeria was tied for 39th place, earning two gold and one bronze medal. South Africa and Ethiopia also made the table, with South Africa in joint 44th place with a total of six medals (1 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze) and Ethiopia in 47th with four medals (1 gold, 3 silver).

Egypt and Tunisia both secured three medals each and were placed joint 52nd, with each country earning one gold, one silver, and one bronze. Botswana and Uganda finished joint 55th with two medals each (one gold and one silver).

Morocco ranked 60th with one gold and one bronze, while Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde, and Zambia were all in 84th place with one bronze each.

Nigeria did not feature on the medals table despite the participation of 205 countries. The next Olympic Games will take place in 2028 in Los Angeles, USA.