The 2024 Paris Olympics will be officially hosting its Opening Ceremony today July 26. The events at the Summer Games will start tomorrow with all 206 participant countries trying their medals to rack up their Summer Olympics Medal Count. But which country has won the highest number of medals since the inception of the Olympic Games in 1896? Let’s take a look at the Top 10 Countries with the most Medals at the World Games.
10. Japan
The country of Japan is only the 2nd all-Asian country on this list, coming in with a total of 497 medals (169 Gold, 150 Silver, 178 Bronze) at the Summer Games. 48 of those Gold medals have come in Judo, the most Gold medals in any sport for Japan. While 103 Medals in total, most for any sport for Japan, have come in Gymnastics.
9. Hungary
There is a surprise entry on the 9th spot in Hungary. The European nation has won a total of 511 medals(181 G, 154 S, 176 B) throughout the history of the Summer Olympics despite having only 19 appearances at the World Games. Historically, the Hungarians have excelled at Fencing, Swimming and Canoeing with these three sports alone accounting for 252 Olympic Medals.
8. Australia
The Australians have won 553 Medals(167 G, 174 S, 212 Bronze) at the Summer Olympics since its inception. Over 200 medals have come from the World of Swimming for the Australians, 210 to be exact.
7. Italy
With a tally of 618 Medals(217 G, 188 S, 213 B) at the Summer Olympics, Italy ranks at no.7 on this list. 130 medals have come in the Fencing event for the Italians with 63 and 65 coming in Cycling and Athletics. There’s no doubt that the Italians would’ve had a much higher tally if there were any food-making events at the Olympics!
6. China
The Asian country has won 636 medals(263 G, 199 S, 174 B) at the Olympics. The Chinese have won a high share of their medals in Diving, Artistic Gymnastics, Shooting, etc.
5. France
The host for the 2024 Summer Olympics, features at no. 5 on this list with a tally of 751 Medals(223 G, 251 S, 277 B) to their name. 213 Medals out of these come from Fencing and Cycling alone!
4. Great Britain
The European country won 917 medals(285 G, 318 S, 314 B) at the Summer Olympics. Athletics, Swimming and Cycling contribute to more than 1/3rd of that tally with 389 Medals to be exact.
3. Germany (Combined Total)
Germany’s history of course is quite closely related to Olympics history for all the wrong reasons. But the Germans irrespective of their Affiliation to the West, East or whatever, have always been adept at picking up medals at the Olympics. The Germans have won a total of 1,386 Medals(438 G, 457 S, 491 B) at the World Games.
2. Russia (Combined Total)
Another Country that has had many of its “Forms” compete at the Olympic games throughout History is Russia. Currently banned from the Olympics in 2024, the country has won 1,627 medals(609 G, 514 S, 504 B) at the Summer Games.
1. United States of America
The USA is clear of anyone else on this list. The sum total of Russia’s and Great Britain’s medal tally still falls short of that of the USA’s total tally by a good 92 Olympic Medals. The USA has a record 2636(1065 G, 834 S, 737 B) Summer Olympic Medals to their name.
