If you love the thrill of the Games, you’ve probably wondered: which country emerged victorious in the medal tally at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris? The medal count is more than just numbers—it’s a reflection of years of preparation, athletic dreams realised, national pride, and strategic investment.
In this article of Bizmaa, we’ll walk you through the full winners list and country rankings of Paris 2024, unpack what the medal table really tells us, and why this edition of the Olympics was extra special.
Table of Contents
What the medal table reveals
The medal table is essentially a scoreboard for nations—it shows how many gold, silver and bronze medals each country won. But it also highlights depth versus peak performance, the breadth of sports in which a country excels, and emerging powerhouses in the world of sport. Think of it like a company’s annual report: not just profit (golds) but the full financial health (all medals).
Why Paris 2024 was unique
Paris 2024 brought a few firsts. For example, it marked the first time two nations shared the same number of gold medals at the Summer Games. Also, it featured 329 medal events across 32 sports and 48 disciplines. These factors made the competition deeper and the medal count more diverse than ever before.
Understanding the Medal Table
How rankings are determined (gold, silver, bronze)
Traditionally, countries are ranked by the number of gold medals first. If two countries have the same gold count, the number of silvers breaks the tie, then bronzes if needed. This standard method was applied in Paris 2024.
Total medals vs gold-first approach
Some media outlets and analysts prefer ranking by total medals—this rewards consistency and depth across events, not just the top finishers. For example, one country may have fewer golds but many silvers and bronzes, showing wide-spread performance. The official tables tend to stick with gold-first, but both perspectives tell a useful story.
How ties are handled
In cases where two countries have identical counts of gold, silver and bronze, some tables list them as tied; others may apply further criteria (like alphabetical order). Paris 2024 provided a case where golds were tied and silvers came into play.
Key Facts & Figures from Paris 2024
Number of sports, events and nations involved
The 2024 Games featured 206 National Olympic Committees and athletes from around the world competed in 329 events across 32 sports.
First-time medalling nations
Some countries made history in Paris. For instance, four nations earned their first ever gold medals and others earned their very first medals.
Historical milestones achieved
Paris 2024 was the first Summer Olympics in which two nations ended with the same number of gold medals at the top of the table. Also, the host nation achieved its best top-5 finish in decades.
Top Performing Countries – Overview
1st: United States – how they led
The United States secured the top spot with 40 gold medals and a total of 126 medals. Their dominance spanned multiple sports—swimming, athletics, team sports—making their showing broad and deep.
2nd: China – matching golds, fewer silvers
China also earned 40 golds—tying the U.S.—but had fewer silver medals and a smaller overall total of 91 medals, which placed them second under the gold-first ranking method.
This scenario is rare and highlights how tight the competition became.
3rd-5th: Japan, Australia, France – standout performances
- Japan finished with 20 golds and 45 total medals.
- Australia had 18 golds and 53 total medals—a record-best showing.
- The host nation France secured 16 golds and 64 total medals, marking their best top-5 finish since 1996.
Notable surprises and under-performers
With the competition so intense, some traditional powerhouses didn’t perform as expected, while smaller nations rose to prominence. The tied golds at the top level show how margins are shrinking.
Full Country Rankings Snapshot
Top 10 countries by medal count
Here’s a quick look at the top nations and their performances:
- United States: 40 gold, 44 silver, 42 bronze, 126 total.
- China: 40 gold, 27 silver, 24 bronze, 91 total.
- Japan: 20 gold, 12 silver, 13 bronze, 45 total.
- Australia: 18 gold, 19 silver, 16 bronze, 53 total.
- France: 16 gold, 26 silver, 22 bronze, 64 total.
- Netherlands: 15 gold, 7 silver, 12 bronze, 34 total.
- Great Britain: 14 gold, 22 silver, 29 bronze, 65 total.
- South Korea: 13 gold, 9 silver, 10 bronze, 32 total.
- Italy: 12 gold, 13 silver, 15 bronze, 40 total.
- Germany: 12 gold, 13 silver, 8 bronze, 33 total.
Smaller nations making big strides
Countries that previously had little Olympic success are now shining. For example, nations like Saint Lucia and Dominica earned their first medals ever at Paris.
Nations earning their first medals or first golds
Some countries crossed major milestones: first medals, first golds, establishing themselves on the global stage. This diversification of medalling nations is a key story from Paris 2024.
Regional Highlights
Asia & Oceania
Asia saw strong showings by China, Japan and others. Oceania, especially Australia, achieved a personal best in its medal performance. These regions are clearly ramping up their sport programmes.
Europe
Europe remains a powerhouse in the medal table—countries like Great Britain, France and Germany showed breadth across many sports. Host-nation France made the most of the home advantage.
Africa & Americas
In the Americas, the USA dominated. Africa saw growth, but fewer top-10 finishes; nonetheless several individual countries celebrated big breakthroughs. These regional narratives matter because they show the Olympics’ global reach.
Why regional trends matter
When multiple continents show up in the top ranks, it signals a healthier global competition—far from domination by a handful of nations. It also means emerging sport-powers are rising and medal tables are getting more interesting year by year.
Records & Remarkable Milestones
First gold-count tie at a Summer Olympics
Unprecedentedly, the U.S. and China both ended with 40 golds in Paris 2024—the first time ever at a Summer Games that the top two nations tied on gold medals.
Best ever performances for certain nations
Australia’s 18 golds and 53 total medals marked its finest Summer Olympics yet. Host nation France achieved its best top-5 finish since 1996.
The rise of smaller countries
The fact that several small nations won their first Olympic medals or golds at Paris 2024 is a big deal. It shows the playing field is becoming more level and inspiring for countries with smaller sport budgets.
Implications for Future Olympic Games
What this means heading into Paris 2028 and beyond
With the next Summer Olympics to be held in Los Angeles in 2028, countries will study this medal table closely—where they succeeded, where they lagged, and what investments they need to make. The tie at the top signals that winning gold is no longer just about tradition—it’s about strategic preparation.
How new sports and athlete development affect medal tables
As new sports enter the Olympics (or return) and as athlete development systems evolve, nations that adapt fastest will gain ground. The medal table is like a scoreboard of sport-investment, not just athletic performance.
Lessons for nations aiming to climb the rankings
- Depth wins: winning in many sports matters as much as a few top medals.
- Silver and bronze count: many silvers can push a country ahead if golds are tied.
- Broad investment: sports programmes across the board outperform narrow investment.
- Emerging nations matter: don’t underestimate smaller countries punching above their weight.
Conclusion
The 2024 Paris Olympics were more than just a sporting display—they were a story of changing dynamics, global depth, and finely balanced competition. The medal table showed us that dominant nations still hold sway, but that the gap is narrowing and the global spread of talent is real. Whether you’re looking at golds or total medals, the story is one of preparation, opportunity and performance. One thing’s for sure: this medal table sets an exciting stage for the future of Olympic competition.
FAQs
Why does gold count first in some tables?
Because gold represents first place—top achievement. Ranking by gold first emphasises highest-level success.
Does total medals ever matter more than golds?
Yes—if your focus is on overall performance and depth, total medals give a fuller picture. Some analysts rank that way.
How do mixed-team events impact the medal table?
Mixed events give additional medal chances and can benefit countries with broad athlete pools. It can shift the balance in interesting ways.
Why did some smaller nations perform so well at Paris 2024?
Because targeted investment, rising sport programmes and sometimes the momentum of first-time medalling all help push a smaller nation into the spotlight.
What happens if two countries tie on gold, silver and bronze?
Typically they are listed as tied. Further criteria (like alphabetical order or other tie-breaks) may be used depending on the source.