Can anyone topple the United States at the Olympics in Paris this summer?
5 minutes Ex Olympian Jamie Baulch takes a look at 'Most Medals Odds' for Paris 2024.
Over the last three decades, the Summer Olympics have highlighted the athletic prowess of numerous countries. The leading medalists in this period have consistently been the United States, China, and Russia, with significant performances from other nations such as Great Britain and Germany.
USA are strongly fancied again and are 1/7 clear favourite's to make it 4 in a row as top Olympic gold medalists. China are next best at 7/2 for overall glory and repeat the feat of 2008 when they hosted the games in Beijing when they racked up 48 gold medals , the most gold medal achieved by a nation in the last 30 years. Great Britain and Japan are 40/1 and 50/1 respectively whilst host France are a whopping 200/1.
Most Gold Medals Odds
| Country | Odds |
|---|---|
| United States | 1/7 |
| China | 9/2 |
| Great Britain | 40/1 |
| Japan | 50/1 |
| Germany | 150/1 |
| France | 200/1 |
| Netherlands | 200/1 |
| Canada | 200/1 |
| Australia | 200/1 |
| South Korea | 300/1 |
| Italy | 500/1 |
| Brazil | 500/1 |
| Cuba | 500/1 |
| Hungary | 500/1 |
Source: PaddyPower
Most Overall Medals Odds
| Country | Odds |
|---|---|
| United States | 1/16 |
| China | 10/1 |
| Great Britain | 33/1 |
| Japan | 50/1 |
| Australia | 150/1 |
| Germany | 200/1 |
| France | 200/1 |
| Italy | 250/1 |
| Netherlands | 400/1 |
| New Zealand | 500/1 |
| Brazil | 500/1 |
| Canada | 500/1 |
| Hungary | 500/1 |
| South Korea | 500/1 |
| Cuba | 500/1 |
Source: PaddyPower
Medal History
United States
The United States has been the dominant force, leading the medal tally in most of the Olympics. They topped the charts in the 1996 Atlanta, 2000 Sydney, 2004 Athens, 2008 Beijing, 2012 London, and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. In the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the USA secured the most medals overall with 113, including 39 golds .
China
China has emerged as a powerhouse in recent decades, consistently ranking in the top three. They were particularly dominant in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where they secured the most gold medals. China also performed strongly in the 2012 London and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, and they were second in the overall medal tally in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with 89 medals, including 38 golds.
Russia
Russia, including the period when athletes competed as the Unified Team (1992) and later as the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), has been a formidable competitor. They have consistently been in the top five, with notable performances in the 1996 Atlanta, 2000 Sydney, and 2004 Athens Olympics. In Tokyo 2020, they competed under the ROC and secured 71 medals.
Great Britain
Great Britain has seen a resurgence in Olympic success in recent years, particularly in the 2012 London and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. They maintained a strong performance in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, securing fourth place overall with 64 medals .
Germany
Germany has also been a consistent performer, often ranking in the top five. Their notable performances include the 1996 Atlanta, 2000 Sydney, and 2004 Athens Olympics. Germany's strong sporting culture continues to yield impressive results across various disciplines.
Prospects for Paris 2024
As we look forward to the Paris 2024 Olympics, several countries are poised to dominate the medal tables once again. The United States is expected to lead, given their historical dominance and depth of talent. China and Russia are also likely to be strong contenders.
Notable Athletes Expected to Shine
- Simone Biles (USA) - The gymnastics superstar is expected to make a comeback after her partial withdrawal in Tokyo 2020. Her return could see the USA secure multiple medals in gymnastics.
- Caeleb Dressel (USA) - The swimmer had a phenomenal performance in Tokyo 2020, and he is expected to continue his dominance in the pool in Paris 2024.
- Shi Tingmao (China) - The diver, who has been a dominant force in women’s diving, is expected to add more medals to China’s tally in Paris.
- Armand Duplantis (Sweden) - The pole vaulter, who has set multiple world records, is likely to be a top contender for gold in Paris, contributing to Sweden's medal count.
- Dina Asher-Smith (Great Britain) - The sprinter is one of the favourites in the 100m and 200m events, and she is expected to lead Great Britain’s athletics team in Paris.
- Teddy Riner (France) - The French judoka, competing on home soil, is expected to be a major medal contender in judo, boosting France's chances.
Conclusion
The landscape of Olympic dominance is shaped by a combination of historical performance and emerging talent. The USA and China are likely to remain at the forefront, with significant contributions from Great Britain, Germany, and host nation France. The anticipation for Paris 2024 is building, with several athletes already standing out as potential medalists.
2020 Tokyo Olympics
- USA: 113 total medals (39 Gold, 41 Silver, 33 Bronze)
- China: 89 total medals (38 Gold, 32 Silver, 19 Bronze)
- Japan: 58 total medals (27 Gold, 14 Silver, 17 Bronze)
- Great Britain: 64 total medals (22 Gold, 20 Silver, 22 Bronze)
- ROC: 71 total medals (20 Gold, 28 Silver, 23 Bronze)
2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics
- USA: 121 total medals (46 Gold, 37 Silver, 38 Bronze)
- Great Britain: 67 total medals (27 Gold, 23 Silver, 17 Bronze)
- China: 70 total medals (26 Gold, 18 Silver, 26 Bronze)
- Russia: 56 total medals (19 Gold, 18 Silver, 19 Bronze)
- Germany: 42 total medals (17 Gold, 10 Silver, 15 Bronze)
2012 London Olympics
- USA: 104 total medals (46 Gold, 28 Silver, 30 Bronze)
- China: 88 total medals (38 Gold, 27 Silver, 23 Bronze)
- Great Britain: 65 total medals (29 Gold, 17 Silver, 19 Bronze)
- Russia: 82 total medals (24 Gold, 26 Silver, 32 Bronze)
- South Korea: 28 total medals (13 Gold, 8 Silver, 7 Bronze)
2008 Beijing Olympics
- China: 100 total medals (48 Gold, 22 Silver, 30 Bronze)
- USA: 112 total medals (36 Gold, 38 Silver, 38 Bronze)
- Russia: 72 total medals (24 Gold, 13 Silver, 23 Bronze)
- Great Britain: 47 total medals (19 Gold, 13 Silver, 15 Bronze)
- Germany: 41 total medals (16 Gold, 10 Silver, 15 Bronze)
2004 Athens Olympics
- USA: 101 total medals (36 Gold, 39 Silver, 26 Bronze)
- China: 63 total medals (32 Gold, 17 Silver, 14 Bronze)
- Russia: 92 total medals (27 Gold, 27 Silver, 38 Bronze)
- Australia: 49 total medals (17 Gold, 16 Silver, 16 Bronze)
- Japan: 37 total medals (16 Gold, 9 Silver, 12 Bronze)
2000 Sydney Olympics
- USA: 93 total medals (37 Gold, 24 Silver, 32 Bronze)
- Russia: 88 total medals (32 Gold, 28 Silver, 28 Bronze)
- China: 58 total medals (28 Gold, 16 Silver, 14 Bronze)
- Australia: 58 total medals (16 Gold, 25 Silver, 17 Bronze)
- Germany: 56 total medals (13 Gold, 17 Silver, 26 Bronze)
1996 Atlanta Olympics
- USA: 101 total medals (44 Gold, 32 Silver, 25 Bronze)
- Russia: 63 total medals (26 Gold, 21 Silver, 16 Bronze)
- Germany: 65 total medals (20 Gold, 18 Silver, 27 Bronze)
- China: 50 total medals (16 Gold, 22 Silver, 12 Bronze)
- France: 37 total medals (15 Gold, 7 Silver, 15 Bronze)
1992 Barcelona Olympics
- Unified Team: 112 total medals (45 Gold, 38 Silver, 29 Bronze)
- USA: 108 total medals (37 Gold, 34 Silver, 37 Bronze)
- Germany: 82 total medals (33 Gold, 21 Silver, 28 Bronze)
- China: 54 total medals (16 Gold, 22 Silver, 16 Bronze)
- Cuba: 31 total medals (14 Gold, 6 Silver, 11 Bronze)