The U.S. started Sunday with 38 gold medals, just one less than China’s total of 39.
Even though Team USA was a strong contender for the win in women’s basketball on the final day of competing, there was no guarantee, despite the American team having dominated at every Olympics since 1996.
Triumphantly, the American women’s basketball team secured a gold medal by defeating France in the final event at the Paris Olympics on August 11, bringing the U.S. to match China’s total of 40 gold medals.
“I saw the medal count beforehand so I knew,” said U.S. women’s coach Cheryl Reeve, who thought to herself, “that’s what we need — more pressure,” per The Associated Press.
The Paris Olympics concluded with the U.S. placing first on the medal table after over 10,000 athletes competed in 32 sports over a period of more than two weeks.
The U.S. dominated the overall medal count, achieving a total of 126 medals, including 40 gold, 42 silver, and 44 bronze.
In the final medal tally, China achieved the second position by securing a total of 91 medals, comprising 40 gold, 27 silver, and 24 bronze. Japan attained the third position with 45 medals, including 20 gold medals.
In four years’ time, when the Olympic Games are held in Los Angeles, the United States is expected to once again emerge as the leading nation in the medal tally. Historically, countries have demonstrated strong performances in medal standings when competing on their home soil, per The Guardian.
With the United States’ notable track record of success in the Summer Olympics, Americans are already looking forward to another impressive final medal table.
Way to go, TEAM USA!