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Olympic Games

OLYMPIC GAMES

US wins the most Olympics medals: what have been its best sports?

Having finished the Olympics, the U.S. will be the only country to take home more than 100 medals, well ahead of second-place China, which has won 88.

Diana Velayos
Diana Velayos
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A member of team USA places hand over heart under his gold medal for the US anthem on the podium after the final of the men's 4x100m medley relay swimming event during the Tokyo 2020.
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The U.S. has run away from the rest of the field in terms of the overall medal count. Having finished the Olympics, the U.S. has won 113 total medals, well ahead of the 88 medals awarded to second-place China.

The Olympics determines placement on its medal table through the number of golds each country have. US team took the lead for the country to win most medals. However, was always positioned second on the medal table, after China, until today, when the American volleyball win allowed US to surpass China’s 38 gold medals, achieving one more gold than the all time gold leader.

Athletics and Swimming events dominate US’s medal count

Swimming leads the medal count as US's best sport with 11 gold, 10 silver and 9 bronze. This adds to 30 medals awarded, 10 more than the event's second-place Australia.

The Olympic 50 m free record set by Caleb Dressel, Finke's final lap for 1500 m and 800 m gold, and Kate Ledecky's record breaking for the 800 m freestyle has thrilled Olympic fans all around the world.

Athletics events follows the leader with 6 gold, 12 silver and 7 bronze. With Allyson Felix becoming the most decorated US track and field athlete in Olympics history after the gold 400 m sprint relay team's win. 

Both events contribute to nearly 50% of medals won by US at this summer's Olympics.

Wrestling and shooting competitions don't fall short adding a total of 15 medals and 3 golds each.

Madelynn Ann Bernau of the US in action during the Trap Mixed Team in the Shooting events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Camp Asaka in Nerima, Tokyo, Japan, 31 July 2021.
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Madelynn Ann Bernau of the US in action during the Trap Mixed Team in the Shooting events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Camp Asaka in Nerima, Tokyo, Japan, 31 July 2021. FAZRY ISMAILEFE

Nevertheless, even if Simon Biles’ shocking withdrawal from most of the events she was expected to give US a gold, team's good work should be noted in overcoming the problem outstandingly with Sunysa Lee and Jade Carey bringing gold home, and winning 2 silver and 2 more bronze to the list, having been one of the last bronzes won by the GOAT Simone Biles after beating anxiety.

Check the whole medal count details for US here.