At the Closing of the Olympics: The United States Tops the Medal Table

The United States topped the medal table at the Paris Olympics with a total of 40 gold medals after securing the last medal on Sunday, surpassing China, which garnered 44 silver medals. China, apart from the United States, was the last to lead the medal table when it did so on its home turf at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, where it also won 40 gold medals but only obtained 27 silver medals. The U.S. women's basketball team ensured the nation's dominance by defeating the host country, France, in a thrilling finale to clinch the last gold medal of the games. The United States achieved the highest total of medals in Paris, amassing 126 compared to China's 91. France secured 16 gold medals, placing fifth in the rankings, while its total of 64 medals marked its best performance in over a century.