As the top competitors from around the globe strive for individual victory and public pride at the 2024 Paris Olympics, fans watching from home enthusiastically guess which nation will prove to be the best in the decoration count.
By Monday, as the Paris Games kicked off, the U.S., Japan, China, and host nation France were already leading the medal count.
Group France and Group USA started the current year’s opposition with a nearby race for the most decorations in general, setting the ongoing host country in opposition to the future host of the 2028 Games. By Monday, the U.S. pulled ahead, on account of amazing exhibitions in skating, swimming, and men’s aerobatic.
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Both countries benefit from the sheer number of athletes representing them. The U.S. boasts the largest delegation with 594 athletes, while France follows closely with 571 competitors.
By Monday night, Japan had attached with China for the third-most decorations, because of the men’s vaulting crew and a staggering somewhat late triumph by skateboarder Yoto Horigome. Nonetheless, China leaving its imprint by winning the primary gold of the opposition in the 10-meter air rifle blended group occasion on Saturday morning.
French athletes have demonstrated their versatility by earning medals in at least eight different sports. Meanwhile, the U.S. has had a powerful start in the pool, securing 11 early medals from swimming events.
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“The U.S. is likely aiming to replicate its dominant performance from the 2020 Tokyo Games, where it secured 113 medals. This impressive tally far surpassed China’s 89 medals, the next highest count.
Russia, a force to be reckoned with in past Olympics, isn’t contending this year. The Global Olympic Council prohibited Russia and Belarus because of approvals following Russia’s attack of Ukraine.
Athletes from these countries can only compete as ‘Individual Neutral Athletes,’ and their medals won’t count towards national totals. Anyone who has actively supported the war in Belarus or Russia is not eligible to compete.
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This piece was first featured on NBCNews.com.