As the world's greatest athletes compete for both individual glory and national pride at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, spectators at home will also wonder which country will have the honor of raking in the most medals. The U.S., Japan and China and the host country, France, were leading the medal count by Wednesday.

Simone Biles became the most decorated Olympic gymnast as she earned a gold medal with the women's gymnastics team and aims to add one more on Thursday. The women's rugby sevens team also made Team USA history Tuesday by earning its first-ever medal in the bronze medal game against Australia. It's the first rugby medal for the U.S. since the men won gold at the 1924 Olympics, which were also hosted in Paris.

Both countries also have slight advantages by just the sheer volume of athletes who are representing them. The U.S. has the largest delegation, with 594 athletes. France closely follows, with 571.

China led with nine gold medals — but not overall medals — at the end of Wednesday with Japan and France tied for second at eight apiece. French Olympians have showed their range in a variety of sports already by medaling in eight athletic genres as of the end of day Tuesday. Meanwhile, the U.S. started strong in the water, with 11 of its early medals coming from swimming competitions.

The U.S. is most likely looking for a repeat of its formidable presence at the 2020 Tokyo Games, where it won 113 medals. That's the most of any country by a significant amount, with China's 89 medals next. Russia, whose presence also dominated in past games, is not allowed to compete this year. The International Olympic Committee banned Russia, along with Belarus, as part of sanctions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Competitors from those countries may participate only as "Individual Neutral Athletes," and their medals will not be counted for the nations. No one who has actively supported the war for either Belarus or Russia is eligible to compete.

The Legacy of Michael Phelps

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, not even a week into competition, have already seen historic performances from American athletes who continue to build onto incredibly Olympic legacies. From Simone Biles and a veteran Team USA to Katie Ledecky continuing to defy logic with incredible gold-medal winning performances, multiple American athletes have marked their name in the history books in the Paris Games.

While Biles and Ledecky have surely made history in Paris as among the greatest to compete in their respective sports, several athletes have collected more medals in their decorated Olympics careers. Though it's been eight years since he competed at the Olympic level, Michael Phelps remains the most decorated Olympian of all-time in any sport, capturing an unreal 28 medals over his career.

Coming away with the gold 23 times, Phelps earned more gold medals than any other Olympian has total medals, with Larisa Latynina, who competed in gymnastics for the Soviet Union from 1956 to 1964, earned 18 total medals in her career. In addition to 23 gold medals, Phelps captured three silver medals and two bronze medals across competition in four Summer Olympics, competing in the Games from 2004 to 2016.

The Most Decorated Olympians of All Time

Closing out the top three of all-time and serving as the most decorated Winter Olympian of all-time is cross-country skier Marit Bjørgen, who collected 15 medals, including eight golds, in a career that spanned from 2002 to 2018. Bjørgen is narrowly ahead of Soviet gymnast Nikolai Andrianov, who competed from 1972 to 1980 and also earned 15 medals, with seven gold medals among them.

Though Phelps is untouched across the board in Olympics history, Ledecky's sensational gold medal-winning performance in the 1500m freestyle has tied her as the second-most decorated Olympian in American history, tying fellow swimmer Jenny Thompson as the most decorated swimmer. Thompson and Ledecky have both collected 12 Olympic medals with an identical breakdown: eight golds, three silvers and one bronze. Thompson competed for the United States from 1992 to 2004.

Ledecky is competing in her fourth Olympics, making her debut for Team USA at the 2012 London Games. Three other American swimmers, Ryan Lochte, Dara Torres and Natalie Coughlin all also received 12 Olympic medals in their career, though with not as quite of a gold-heavy resume as Ledecky's and Thompson's.

Lochte won six gold medals alongside three silver and bronze medals, while Torres won four of each medal. Torres competed in five Olympics from 1984 to 2008, becoming the oldest swimmer in U.S. Olympics history at the age of 41 in 2008. Coughlin competed in three Olympics from 2004 to 2012, taking home three gold medals, four silvers and five bronzes in her decorated career.

Below is a look at the 10 most decorated Olympians in the history of both the Summer and Winter Games, alongside the corresponding medal count:

Top 10 Most Decorated Olympians

1. Michael Phelps (USA): 28 Medals (23 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze)
2. Larisa Latynina (Soviet Union): 18 Medals (9 Gold, 5 Silver, 4 Bronze)
3. Marit Bjørgen (Norway): 15 Medals (8 Gold, 4 Silver, 3 Bronze)
4. Nikolay Andrianov (Soviet Union): 15 Medals (7 Gold, 5 Silver, 3 Bronze)
5. Boris Shakhlin (Soviet Union): 13 Medals (7 Gold, 3 Silver, 3 Bronze)
6. Edoardo Mangiarotti (Italy): 13 Medals (6 Gold, 5 Silver, 2 Bronze)
7. Takashi Ono (Japan): 13 Medals (5 Gold, 4 Silver, 4 Bronze)
8. Jenny Thompson (USA): 12 Medals (8 Gold, 3 Silver, 1 Bronze)
9. Ryan Lochte (USA): 12 Medals (6 Gold, 3 Silver, 3 Bronze)
10. Dara Torres (USA): 12 Medals (4 Gold, 4 Silver, 4 Bronze)

The Importance of the Olympics

The Olympic Games are the world’s foremost sports competition, bringing together athletes from across the globe to compete in various sports. Over the years, the Olympics have seen remarkable achievements and memorable moments, including the breaking of numerous records and the participation of professional athletes.

The achievements of these ten Olympians have set benchmarks in their respective sports and inspired countless others to pursue excellence. These athletes have not only won medals but have also embodied the Olympic spirit of perseverance, sportsmanship, and unity. Their stories remind us that greatness is achieved through dedication, hard work, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. As we celebrate their legacies, we are inspired to strive for our best, both in sports and in life. The impact of these Olympians goes beyond their medal counts; they have become symbols of human potential and the enduring power of the Olympic Games.

The Future of the Olympics

This year, 10,500 athletes will compete across 329 events to billions of viewers worldwide. Kayaking and breaking (commonly known as breakdancing) will debut, while surfing and skateboarding return for their second Olympics. The Olympics continue to evolve with the inclusion of new sports, reflecting the changing landscape of the sporting world and attracting a wider audience. As the Games continue, we can expect to witness more history-making performances and witness the rise of new stars who will join the ranks of the most decorated Olympians of all time.

Conclusion

The Olympics, with its rich history and the pursuit of excellence, continues to captivate audiences worldwide. While the U.S. hopes to match or exceed its incredible medal count from 2020 Tokyo, the world is watching to see how these games will further cement the legacies of its most decorated athletes. The Games serve as a testament to the human spirit, showcasing the dedication, resilience, and extraordinary talent that comes from athletes across the world.