The Eiffel Tower illuminated with Olympic Rings set the stage for the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 26. In a historic turn, the U.S. and China tied for the most gold medals, each securing 40, marking the first time this has happened in Summer Games history. The U.S. closed the gap with a nail-biting 67-66 win over France in women’s basketball, clinching their eighth consecutive gold.
China led 39-38 heading into the final day, with pivotal results unfolding in the afternoon. Li Wenwen of China won gold in women’s heavyweight weightlifting, while U.S. hopes dimmed with Kennedy Blades’ loss in wrestling and a volleyball defeat by Italy. However, Jennifer Valente’s cycling victory and the U.S. women’s basketball team’s triumph secured the crucial tie.
Breanna Stewart and coach Cheryl Reeve both reflected on the pressure and significance of their victory. Historically, the last time the U.S. didn’t lead the gold medal count was in Beijing 2008. Despite this tie, the U.S. still amassed the most overall medals with 126, continuing a streak unbroken since 1992.
American swimmers, led by Katie Ledecky, felt the pressure but still dominated the pool, although Frenchman Léon Marchand and Canadian Summer McIntosh notably stole the spotlight. The U.S. and China often faced off in swimming, with China edging out the U.S. in the 4×100-meter medley relay.
Several countries historically low on medals made significant gains. Israel, Ecuador, Kyrgyzstan, and Moldova all notably increased their medal counts, making Paris 2024 one of the more diverse Games in terms of medal distribution.
This year’s games displayed not just athletic prowess but also a broader spread of Olympic success, showcasing emerging talents from various nations.
Original Story https://www.cnbc.com/2024/08/12/us-and-china-fight-to-40-40-draw-for-most-olympic-gold-medals.html
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