The Olympic Games are a celebration of athletic excellence, bringing together the world’s best competitors. Over the years, certain nations have consistently topped the medal charts, showcasing their prowess across various sports. With the Paris Olympics 2024 beginning, excitement is at an all-time high.
This list highlights the countries with the most Olympic medals, reflecting their dedication and achievements. We have used a report from the Research and Analysis website Statista, which they sourced from Olympedia, to compile this list of the top-performing nations in the Summer Olympics.
United States
The United States is second to none in its Olympic legacy, topping all lists with the highest all-time medal count, outperforming others with 2655 medals. This means that such noticeable athletes like Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian with 23 gold medals; Carl Lewis, who brought home 9 gold medals in track and field; and Simone Biles, with 4 gold medals in gymnastics, set high standards. Add these world record holders in sprinting, Florence Griffith-Joyner, and in swimming, Katie Ledecky, and the list gets longer. The U.S. inspires excellence, superimposed with extraordinary achievements in sports.
- Gold medals – 1070
- Silver medals – 841
- Bronze medals – 744
Soviet Union
From 1952 to 1988, the Soviet Union was active in the Olympics and brought home 1,010 medals. This huge count of medals is attributed to the nation’s state-sponsored sports system and rigorous training. Some well-known athletes were gymnast Larisa Latynina with 9 gold medals, swimmer Vladimir Salnikov with 4 gold medals, and wrestler Aleksandr Karelin with 3 gold medals. Add to this triple jumper Viktor Saneyev and gymnast Olga Korbut, who became world record holders, to further underline the dominance and lasting influence the Soviet Union exerts over Olympic history.
- Gold medals – 395
- Silver medals – 319
- Bronze medals – 296
Great Britain
Great Britain enjoys an excellent Olympic heritage, having taken medals at every Summer Olympics since the modern Games were established in 1896. So far, the total stands at an overall medal tally of 930. The iconic characters include track cyclist Chris Hoy, who won 6 gold and 1 silver, and distance runner Mo Farah, who collected 4 golds in the 5000m and 10,000m. Adding to this is the swimmer Adam Peaty, who holds multiple world records and 3 gold medals. Great Britain has a strong tradition in sports like cycling, rowing, and athletics, making it one of the strong countries performing well in the Olympics.
- Gold medals – 292
- Silver medals – 323
- Bronze medals – 315
Germany
The German Olympic legacy includes 797 medals to underpin its domination of the Summer Games. Add to this a list of legendary athletes, and you’ll find canoeist Birgit Fischer with her 8 gold medals, figure skater Katarina Witt, who won 2 golds, and discus thrower Jürgen Schult, holder of a long-time world record. Germany has consistently performed well in most events, guided by fine tradition and a commitment to athletic success.
- Gold medals – 239
- Silver medals – 267
- Bronze medals – 291
France
France’s Olympic legacy credits for a total of 773 medals. The country has been great in fencing, cycling, and judo. Among the well-known athletes are sprinter Marie-José Pérec with 3 golds, judoka Teddy Riner with 3 golds and 2 bronzes, and slalom canoeist Tony Estanguet with 3 golds—just some examples of those who give an idea of athletic skills France is made of. With its tradition of being a world record holder and having sports excellence, France can take a place as one of the formidable Olympic contenders.
- Gold medals – 231
- Silver medals – 257
- Bronze medals – 285
People’s Republic of China
The People’s Republic of China has grown into an Olympic powerhouse with 636 medals. This indicates that the Chinese system of approaching sports is indeed focused. Among the notable athletes were Wu Minxia, who had five golds in diving; Li Ning, who had three golds in gymnastics; and swimmer Sun Yang, a multiple world record holder, who had three golds. China’s success in these three core Olympic Games projects—gymnastics, diving, and table tennis—testifies to its commitment to athletic excellence and systematic training.
- Gold medals – 263
- Silver medals – 199
- Bronze medals – 174
Italy
Italy’s Olympic legacy is highlighted by 632 medals in the Summer Games. It testifies to its strengths in fencing, cycling, and athletics events. Some legendary athletes who have made Italy glorious include fencer Edoardo Mangiarotti with 6 golds, sprinter Pietro Mennea with 1 gold and the world record that existed until recently, and last but not least, skier Alberto Tomba with 3 golds. Scores of world record holders, combined with a constant performance record, make Italy’s strong teams a threat at the Olympic Games.
- Gold medals – 222
- Silver medals – 195
- Bronze medals – 215
Australia
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Australia has won 541 medals, with significant strengths in swimming, athletics, and cycling. One legendary example of a great Australian athlete would be swimmer Ian Thorpe, who won 5 golds; Dawn Fraser, a swimmer who also won 4 golds; and sprinter Betty Cuthbert, also with 4 golds. With so many world record holders, Australia is a nation that’s highly respected when it comes to the Olympic Games.
- Gold medals – 162
- Silver medals – 170
- Bronze medals – 209
Hungary
Hungary’s Olympic track record comes with 515 medals, which means it has been very strong in fencing, swimming, and water polo. Among the iconic athletes are gym master Ágnes Keleti, with 5 of them; Aladár Gerevich, fencer, with 7 of them; and Krisztina Egerszegi, swimmer, with 5 the very best examples of Hungary’s greatness. With so many world record holders and a history of powerful performances over the years, it has maintained its reputation as one of the most important and respected nations at the Olympic Games.
- Gold medals – 182
- Silver medals – 156
- Bronze medals – 177
Japan
Japan’s Olympic history includes 499 medals, exemplifying core judo, gymnastics, and swimming competencies. Japanese athletes’ competencies were depicted by gymnast Sawao Kato, who has won 8 golds; judoka Tadahiro Nomura, who has won 3 consecutive golds; and swimmer Kosuke Kitajima, who has won 4 golds. With a large group of world record holders and the ability to perform consistently, Japan is still a prominent and highly regarded contender during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
- Gold medals – 169
- Silver medals – 150
- Bronze medals – 180
