The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris are shaping up to be an exciting competition, with several countries and athletes poised for success. Here’s an overview of the medal favorites and standout athletes to watch: Countries favored to win the most medals:
- United States: The USA is the heavy favorite to win both the most gold medals and the most total medals. They have dominated the medal count in 6 of the last 7 Summer Olympics.
- China: Expected to be the USA’s closest competitor, China is projected to win 36 gold medals, just behind the USA’s 37.
- Great Britain, France, and Japan: These countries are considered the next tier of contenders, with odds placing them behind the USA and China but ahead of other nations.
- Australia and Italy: While not top favorites, these countries are also expected to perform well.
Some individual athletes and events to watch:
- Scottie Scheffler (USA) and Rory McIlroy (Ireland) in golf.
- Mete Gazoz (Turkey) in archery, aiming to be the first archer to win individual golds at consecutive Olympics.
- Akane Yamaguchi (Japan) and An Se-young (South Korea) in badminton.
- Eli Dershwitz (USA) in fencing (sabre).
- Lee Kiefer (USA) in fencing (foil), defending her Olympic title.
- The South Korean archery team, which has historically dominated the sport.
- Viktor Axelsen (Denmark) in badminton, competing against rising star Kunlavut Vitidsarn (Thailand).
It’s worth noting that host nations often see a boost in their medal count, so France may perform better than usual. Additionally, some countries like Canada, Belgium, and Italy are expected to improve their performances compared to previous Olympics. While these predictions offer a general outlook, the Olympics often bring surprises and breakout performances, making the actual outcomes exciting to watch unfold.
Several standout athletes are expected to shine in track and field events at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games:
Notable Athletes to Watch
- Sha’Carri Richardson (USA):
- Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (Jamaica):
- Ryan Crouser (USA):
- Juliette Whittaker (USA):
- Nico Young (USA):
- Anna Hall (USA):
Based on the search results, several young athletes are expected to make a significant impact at the Paris 2024 Olympics:
- Summer McIntosh (Canada) – Swimming, age 17
McIntosh is poised to redefine Olympic swimming, holding the world record in the 400m individual medley and ranking second-fastest ever in the 400m and 800m freestyle. She recently ended Katie Ledecky’s 13-year unbeaten streak in the 800m freestyle. - Quincy Wilson (USA) – Athletics, age 16
Wilson has made history as the youngest male athlete ever selected for Team USA in track and field. He broke the under-18 world record in the 400m event twice during the US trials and secured a spot on the 4x400m relay team. - Zheng Haohao (China) – Skateboarding, age 12
Turning 12 on the closing day of the Olympics, Zheng is the youngest competitor on the list. She impressed in preliminary rounds against seasoned Olympic medalists and X-Games champions. - Phoebe Gill (Great Britain) – Athletics, age 17
Gill is set to become the youngest British track athlete to compete in the Olympics in over four decades. She outpaced Jemma Reekie, a fourth-place finisher at Tokyo 2020, to secure her spot. - Toby Roberts (Great Britain) – Climbing, age 19
Roberts has secured his place as the first British male qualifier in Olympic climbing. He achieved a breakthrough with a lead World Cup title and his first World Cup victory in bouldering. - Sky Brown (Great Britain) – Park skateboarding, age 16
Already Britain’s youngest Olympic medallist from Tokyo 2020, Brown became a world champion at 14 and is eyeing the podium again in Paris.
These young athletes represent a mix of sports and nationalities, showcasing the emerging talent that could make a significant impact at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
As the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris approach, the United States is the favorite to top the medal table, with projections suggesting they will secure around 123 medals, including 37 to 39 golds. Key sports for Team USA include track and field, swimming, and gymnastics, with athletes like Noah Lyles, Sha’Carri Richardson, and Simone Biles expected to shine (Nielsen) (The Sports Geek).
China is also expected to perform strongly, with an estimated 87 medals, including 36 golds. Their success is anticipated in sports such as diving, shooting, and weightlifting. Despite recent doping scandals, their performance in these events remains a significant factor (Nielsen) (The Sports Geek).
Great Britain is projected to win around 62 medals, with significant contributions from athletes like Keely Hodgkinson in athletics and Max Whitlock in gymnastics. They are aiming for a range of 50 to 70 medals, which could place them third overall (The Mirror) (Nielsen).
Host nation France is set to have its best Olympic performance since 1900, with projections of 56 medals across 24 different sports. Their efforts will be bolstered by home advantage and athletes like rugby star Antoine Dupont (Nielsen) (Nine).
Australia is predicted to finish fifth with about 48 medals, marking their best performance in 20 years. Success is expected particularly in swimming, continuing their strong tradition in the pool (Nielsen) (Nine).
These forecasts set the stage for a competitive and exciting Olympic Games in Paris, with a mix of dominant performances from traditional powerhouses and strong showings from host nation France and others.
Based on the information provided, the countries expected to win the most medals at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games are:
United States: Projected to win 123 medals in total, marking the highest total for the U.S. since the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. The U.S. is particularly strong in athletics and swimming, with nearly half of its projected medals coming from these two sports.
China: Expected to finish second with 87 medals in total. China is projected to win 36 gold medals, challenging the United States for the lead in gold medals. Key sports for China include diving, shooting, swimming, weightlifting, table tennis, artistic gymnastics, and badminton.
Great Britain: Forecast to win 62 medals in total, maintaining a consistent performance level seen in recent Olympic summers. Success is spread across at least 20 sports, with a forecast for medal winners in 21 sports.
France: As the host nation, France is expected to significantly increase its medal count, potentially tripling its number of gold medals compared to the Tokyo Olympics. France is projected to win 56 medals in total, with a focus on 24 different sports, setting a new record for the country.
Australia: Anticipated to win 48 medals, its best performance since Athens 2004. The Australian team’s success is heavily reliant on the swimming team.
Other notable mentions include:
Italy: Projected to win a record 46 medals, surpassing its best-ever performance in Tokyo, with a strong showing expected in swimming.
Netherlands: Expected to break its gold medal record set at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, with a focus on rowing, cycling, and athletics.
Individual athletes to watch include those from the United States and China, especially in athletics and swimming, where the majority of their projected medals are concentrated. However, specific names of standout individuals are not mentioned in the provided sources.
Key points to consider:
The United States is projected to dominate the medal table, thanks to its strength in athletics and swimming.
China is expected to perform strongly across several sports, with a close contest for the lead in gold medals.
Host nation France aims to set new records in terms of medal diversity and quantity.
Australia and Italy are expected to perform exceptionally well, particularly in swimming.
The Netherlands could set new records in certain disciplines.
In summary, the 2024 Paris Olympic Games promise to be highly competitive, with the United States, China, Great Britain, France, and Australia leading the pack in terms of medal predictions. Specific standout athletes within these countries, particularly in athletics and swimming, will be crucial to watch during the games.