The race for the most gold medals by country at the 2024 Paris Olympics came down to the Games’ final event. And the United States’ narrow 67-66 victory over France in women’s basketball pushed the U.S. into a tie with China with 40 golds apiece.
The two countries entered Sunday neck-and-neck. China grew its lead Saturday early in the day on the strength of a dominant outing in the diving events before the United States cut into the margin late with several team and relay golds. The Americans won both the men’s and women’s 4×400-meter relays and also added golds in men’s hoops and women’s soccer.
China won its 40th and final gold medal Sunday in women’s weightlifting. The United State missed on golds in women’s volleyball and wrestling before Jennifer Valente delivered No. 39 for the U.S. in women’s cycling. That set the stage for Team USA, which had to rally from a 10-point deficit in the second half to win its eight straight gold in women’s basketball.
Here are the medal standings: