PARIS —
PARIS (AP) — The United States’ thrilling victory over host France in the women’s basketball final sealed the 2024 Olympic medals for the United States in Paris.
The 67-66 victory at the Arena de Bercy was the final event of the Games and allowed the United States to equal China on 40 gold medals.
The distribution of silver medals was largely in favor of the United States, 44-27.
In the grand total, including bronze, the United States dominated 126-91.
The United States had 38 golds, one less than China’s tally. They had taken the women’s basketball title for granted, having won it without fail since Atlanta 1996. The United States had hopes of winning track cycling, volleyball and wrestling, while China had its sights set on weightlifting.
Li Wenwen delivered for China by winning gold in the women’s 81kg weightlifting event, but the women’s volleyball team and wrestler Kennedy Blades had to settle for silver. The United States added to the mix through Jennifer Valente, who retained her title in the omnium and was once again one gold behind China.
But the Americans had to fight to the very end to ensure that the women’s basketball team won its eighth consecutive title.
Japan completed the podium with 20 gold medals, maintaining the position achieved three years ago in Tokyo. They were followed by Australia (18), France (16), and the Netherlands (15).
Australia’s haul was the highest in its Olympic history, while the host nation achieved its best result since they came first in 1900 — the year Paris also hosted the Games.
Great Britain (14), South Korea (13), Italy (12) and Germany (12) completed the top 10.
Brazil (3 golds and 20 medals in total) was the most outstanding Latin American country, finishing in 20th place.
