Paris: The United States of America (USA) emerged victorious atop the medal table at the Paris Olympics, narrowly edging out arch-rivals China in a dramatic final day of competition. The race for supremacy came down to the last event of the Games, the women’s basketball final, where the USA secured a nail-biting 67-66 victory over host nation France.
This triumph not only clinched the gold medal for the basketball team but also ensured that the USA maintained its streak of topping the Olympic medal table for the fourth consecutive Games.
The final tally saw the United States finish with 126 medals, including 40 gold, 44 silver, and 42 bronze. China, despite dominating in several key disciplines, finished with 91 medals, also including 40 gold. The USA's superior overall medal count ultimately tipped the balance in their favor.
The competition between the two sporting powerhouses was intense throughout the Games. China had taken the lead in the medal table, largely due to their dominance in pool events like diving and artistic swimming, as well as their traditional strengths in table tennis and weightlifting.
However, the Americans responded with a series of standout performances in track and field, securing 14 gold, 11 silver, and 9 bronze in athletics alone. The USA also continued to show its strength in the swimming pool, where they collected 28 medals, including eight golds.
Japan, defying pre-Olympic predictions, finished third in the medal standings with 45 medals, including 20 gold. This result exceeded expectations, particularly given that Japan had finished with 27 gold medals at their home Olympics in Tokyo three years earlier.
India’s performance, though not among the top ranks, was noteworthy, with the country finishing 71st with six medals, including five bronze and a silver. However, their tally could still increase, as wrestler Vinesh Phogat has appealed her disqualification in the women’s 50 kg wrestling final. Phogat was disqualified for being 100 grams overweight during the weigh-in on the day of the final.
Pakistan made a significant mark as well, finishing 62nd, with their first Olympic gold medal in 44 years. Arshad Nadeem’s victory in the men’s javelin final was a historic moment for the nation.
A total of 117 Indian athletes participated across 16 sports at the Paris Games: archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, equestrian, golf, hockey, judo, rowing, sailing, shooting, swimming, wrestling, table tennis, and tennis.
Vinesh Phogat fights medal disqualification case in CASParis: The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)'s verdict in the case of wrestler Vinesh Phogat was delayed and the new deadline set by CAS for the verdict was August 16. The wrestler was disqualified from the 50kg freestyle wrestling gold medal match at the Paris Olympics 2024 for being 100 grams overweight. If the decision comes in her favour, Vinesh can win a joint silver medal. Vinesh has challenged the decision to be disqualified from the 50kg gold medal bout and has knocked on the CAS doors to be awarded a shared silver medal along with Yusneylis Guzman Lopez at the Paris Olympics. The Sole Arbitrator Dr Annabelle Bennett AC SC (Australia) heard all parties -- applicant Vinesh Phogat, the respondents United World Wrestling and the International Olympic Committee as well as the Indian Olympic Association as an interested party. The panel has already heard parties, who were accorded an opportunity to file their detailed legal submissions before the hearing and then present oral arguments. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president, PT Usha, has said that IOA-appointed Chief Medical Officer Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala should not be held responsible for the disqualification of Phogat and it's the coach and support staff of the grappler that should take responsibility. |
