USA Secures Top Spot at Paris Olympics with Thrilling Final Day Victory

New Delhi: The Paris Olympics concluded with a breathtaking finish as the United States narrowly claimed the top position on the medal table. Over two weeks of intense competition across 32 sports, the final day proved to be the most dramatic, with the USA edging out China by a single gold medal, 40 to 39.

As the Games approached their final day, the race for supremacy was incredibly tight. The USA and China were tied with 40 gold medals each, setting up a suspenseful finish. China initially extended their lead with Li Wenwen winning gold in the women’s +81kg weightlifting, pushing their total to 40 golds.

However, hope for the USA came from an unexpected source. Cyclist Jennifer Valente, the reigning Olympic champion in the omnium, delivered a crucial gold medal, closing the gap to just one gold medal behind China. The final event, women’s basketball, would decide the ultimate winner.

The USA’s women’s basketball team, dominant in the sport since 1996, faced host nation France in a nail-biting final. In a game that was decided by a single point, the USA emerged victorious with a 67-66 win, securing their eighth consecutive gold medal in the event.

This final victory brought the USA level with China in the gold medal count, but the Americans topped the standings due to their higher number of silver medals. The USA ended with 40 golds, 44 silvers, and 42 bronzes for a total of 126 medals. China, with 40 golds, 27 silvers, and 24 bronzes, accumulated a total of 91 medals. Japan, Australia, and host France completed the top five, with 20, 18, and 16 golds respectively.

India concluded their Olympic campaign with a silver and five bronze medals, placing them 71st overall. The final hopes for an additional medal rest on the appeal of wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who was disqualified from the women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling gold medal bout due to being slightly overweight. The decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is awaited and could potentially add another silver to India’s tally.

The Paris Olympics showcased a thrilling array of athletic achievements and competitive spirit, with the USA emerging as the leading nation in a dramatic finish.