The Olympic Games have changed over time, but the tradition of winning medals began in 1896 in Athens. Since then, many new sports have been added, but the countries that started strong have mostly stayed on top.
Winning a medal at the Olympics is a great honor for any athlete. Winning a gold medal makes them a hero in their country.
Here, we look at the top 10 countries that have won the most Olympic medals in history.
10. Sweden (495)
Sweden was one of the 14 countries that took part in the first modern Olympics in Athens, Greece, in 1896. They also hosted the Olympics in 1912 in Stockholm. Right now, Sweden is 10th in the Olympic medal rankings with 495 medals, including 147 gold.
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9. Australia (497)
Australia is a big player in multiple sports, especially at the Olympics. The country has hosted the Olympics twice: in Melbourne in 1956 and in Sydney in 2000. Before the 2020 Olympics, Australia had won a total of 497 Olympic medals, including 147 gold medals. Swimming has been their most successful sport at the Olympics.
8. Hungary (498)
Hungary, like Sweden, took part in the first modern Olympics in 1896. This central European country is now eighth in the list of countries with the most Olympic medals, having won 498 medals in total, including 175 gold medals. Alfréd Hajós was Hungary’s first gold medal winner, earning gold in both the men’s 100m and 1200m freestyle swimming events.
7. China (546)
The Asian country first joined the Summer Olympics in 1924. Since then, they have become one of the top countries at the Olympics. China also hosted the event once in 2008 in Beijing.
China ranks seventh with 546 Olympic medals, including 224 gold medals. They have excelled in many sports recently and aim to improve further. Diving legend Wu Minxia is their top medal winner with seven Olympic medals (5 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze).
6. Italy (578)
Italy, a country that participated in the 1896 Athens Olympics, has grown a lot and is now one of the most successful nations in the Summer Games. They are ranked sixth and have won a total of 578 Olympic medals, including 207 gold medals. Fencing is their strongest event at the Olympics.
5. Great Britain (581)
Great Britain is one of the top and most versatile countries in the Olympics. They have hosted the Summer Games three times: in 1908, 1948, and 2012, all in London. They are fifth in the Olympic medal rankings with 581 medals, including 263 gold medals.
Bradley Wiggins has won the most Olympic medals for Great Britain, with a total of eight (5 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze). Chris Hoy has seven Olympic medals (6 gold, 1 silver) and is often called the most successful British athlete at the Olympics.
Great Britain excels in many sports, but they are especially strong in cycling, athletics, and sailing.
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4. France (716)
France, like Australia, has hosted the prestigious event twice before. The first time was in 1900 in Paris, with 24 nations participating. The second time was also in Paris, in 1924.
France is set to host the Summer Games again in 2024. Currently, France is fourth in the Olympics medals tally with 716 medals, including 212 golds. Their strongest sports have been cycling and fencing.
3. Germany (1346)
Germany has often shown its strength in sports with determination and discipline. They have hosted the Olympic Games twice: in Berlin in 1936 and Munich in 1972. If you add up the medals won by all the regions that are now part of Germany, they have a total of 1,346 medals.
Out of these, an impressive 428 are gold medals. Germany is one of the top countries in sports. Their best events include canoeing, athletics, and equestrian.
2. Soviet Union (1566)
The Soviet Union first joined the Summer Olympics in 1952. Even though they were very successful, they only hosted the Olympics once, in Moscow in 1980. Now, as several independent countries, the Soviet Union won the second most Olympic medals ever, with 1,556 medals in total.
They earned an impressive 590 gold medals. The most successful Olympian from the Soviet Union was gymnast Larisa Latynina, who won 18 medals in total: 9 gold, 5 silver, and 4 bronze.
1. United States (2523)
The USA has been a major player in sports for a long time, setting high standards for others. They have hosted the Summer Olympics four times, more than any other country. The first time was in 1904 in St. Louis, Missouri, followed by Los Angeles, California, in 1932.
Los Angeles hosted again in 1984, and the last time the Olympics were held in the USA was in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1996. The USA has won the most medals in Olympic history, with a total of 2,523 medals, including 1,022 gold medals.
The most successful Olympian ever is swimmer Michael Phelps, who has won 28 medals—23 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze.
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