The United States of America are the favourites to win the Paris 2024 Olympics, no surprise given they are the most successful nation in the games’ history.
Prior to the start of this summer’s games, a SuperComputer predicted that Team USA would win a whopping 121 medals including 39 gold, far more than nearest rivals China and Team GB.
At the time of writing on day six they’ve made a great start winning 31 medals, including six golds to put them way out in front in the medal table – at least that’s what US media would tell you.
The reality is they are currently only fifth in the table, behind China, France, Japan and Australia. Great Britain are narrowly behind in sixth.
So why the confusion? Well the International Olympic Committee ranks nations by the , followed by the number of silver won, and then bronze.
It’s a convention that virtually every nation follows, but the USA are a notable exception. Instead, their ranking is based on the regardless of their colour.
As a result, many US media outlets are reporting that they are easily winning in Paris, with their total of 31 medals putting them clear of second-placed France on 26.
But the rest of the world has them fifth, having won five fewer golds than their main rivals China.
The use of different medal tables has caused uproar at past games in both the summer and winter Olympics, notably at the 2008 games in Beijing.
On that occasion, China won with 48 golds to the USA’s 36, but the latter won 112 medals in total compared to the host’s 100.
Of course, the USA are expected to top both medal tables, having so far won gold in the swimming, rowing, fencing and gymnastics courtesy of their brilliant women’s team headlined by Simone Biles.
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