U.S. Ties China in Gold Medal Count at Paris Olympics After Thrilling Women's Basketball Victory

In a dramatic conclusion to the 2024 Paris Olympics, the United States women's basketball team clinched a nail-biting victory over France, securing a gold medal that allowed the U.S. to tie with China for the most gold medals at the Games. Both nations ended with 40 gold medals, marking a historic first in the Summer Olympics.

The final day of competition was filled with tension as the U.S. trailed China in the gold medal count by one. The day began with China extending their lead when Li Wenwen won gold in the women's +81kg weightlifting category. The U.S. quickly responded with Jennifer Valente defending her title in the women's omnium cycling event, bringing the gold count to 39-39.

The decisive moment came during the women's basketball final, where the U.S. faced off against host nation France. In a game filled with intense pressure and high stakes, the American team overcame a ten-point deficit in the third quarter to win 67-66. This victory not only secured their eighth consecutive Olympic gold in women's basketball but also ensured that the U.S. would tie China in the gold medal tally.

U.S. women's basketball coach Cheryl Reeve remarked on the pressure her team faced, acknowledging the significance of their win in the broader context of the medal race. "I saw the medal count beforehand, so I knew," Reeve said, highlighting the added pressure on the team to deliver a gold medal performance.

The U.S. concluded the Games with a total of 126 medals, comprising 40 gold, 42 silver, and 44 bronze, leading the overall medal count. China followed with 91 medals in total, including 40 gold, 27 silver, and 24 bronze. Japan came in third with 20 golds and 45 medals overall.

The tie in the gold medal count is a notable event in Olympic history, as it is the first time the Summer Games have seen such a result. Previously, the U.S. had consistently led the gold medal count in recent Olympics, with the last exception being the 2008 Beijing Games, where China surpassed the U.S. with 48 golds to 36.

Despite the tie in gold medals, the U.S. maintained its dominance in the overall medal tally, a streak that has continued for eight consecutive Summer Games. The last time the U.S. did not lead in total medals was in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, where the Unified Team of former Soviet republics topped the standings.

The Paris Games also saw standout performances from other nations. Notably, Israel, Ecuador, and Kyrgyzstan made significant strides, each adding multiple medals to their historical counts. These achievements underscored the growing competitiveness and diversity in Olympic sports.

As the curtain falls on the Paris 2024 Olympics, the shared gold medal count between the U.S. and China will be remembered as a testament to the fierce competition and high level of athletic excellence displayed throughout the Games. The U.S. women's basketball team's victory, in particular, will be celebrated as a pivotal moment that secured America's place at the top of the medal standings alongside China.