This Is the Country With the Most Summer Olympics Gold Medals, and It’s Not Even Close

The Olympics are an exciting event viewed by fans across the world. Although ancient Olympic Games have taken place since 776 BC, the first modern Olympic event took place in 1896. There are Winter Olympics and Summer Olympics, which both take place every four years. The Winter and Summer Olympics have alternated every two years since the mid-1990s.

At each Olympic event, thousands of athletes compete for the Silver, Bronze, or Gold medal in their designated sport. No matter what sport they compete in, being in the Olympics is a significant accomplishment for any athlete, even if they don't go home with a medal.

This year, the 2024 Summer Olympics take place between July 26 and August 11. With the Summer Olympics coming up this month, it's interesting to look back at what countries have won the most gold medals in Olympic history.

There are 45 different sports in this year's Summer Olympics and over 10,000 athletes will be competing. The 2024 Summer Olympics will take place in Paris for the third time. The location may not be new, but there is a new sport debuting at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. Breaking, also known as breakdancing, will be featured this year for the first time. (After this article, check out the Athletes with the Most Medals Ever from the Summer Olympics.)

To determine the countries with the most Summer Olympics gold medals, 24/7 Tempo used information from sources such as ESPN, Olympedia, and NBC. The top 11 countries with the most gold medals from the Summer Olympics are listed below in descending order.

• Number of gold medals: 153

After World War II, Germany was divided into two countries and two Olympic teams. The first time the German Democratic Republic competed in the Olympics as the East German team was during the 1968 Summer Olympics. After the 1988 Winter Olympics, the East German team joined with West Germany.

• Number of gold medals: 162

The Australian Olympic team has been a part of every Summer Olympic event, winning 162 gold medals. The most successful Australian Olympian is Emma McKeon, a swimmer who has won 11 medals including five gold medals. In Olympic history, two events have been held in Australia and will also host the 2032 Olympics.

• Number of gold medals: 169

The 1912 Summer Olympics were the first Olympic event for Japan. Japanese athletes have excelled at gymnastics more than any other sport with athletes like Takashi Oni winning 13 Olympic medals. At the Summer Olympic Games, Japan won 169 gold medals and the country has won 497 Olympic medals overall from the summer events.

• Number of gold medals: 182

More than any other sport, Hungarian athletes have excelled in fencing. This Olympic team has won 182 gold medals in the Summer Olympics and 521 Olympic medals overall. The Hungarian Olympian with the most medals is Aladár Gerevich, a fencer who won seven gold medals during his time in the Olympics. Hungary has participated in every Olympic event except for two.

• Number of gold medals: 222

Italy has competed in every Olympic event since the start of the modern Olympics in 1896. In the Summer Olympics, Italy has won 222 gold medals. The country has won a total of 758 Olympic medals and Italian athletes have been most successful in fencing and cycling events. The most successful Italian Olympian is Edoardo Mangiarotti, a fencer who has won 13 Olympic medals.

• Number of gold medals: 231

The only country that has hosted more Olympic Games than France is the United States. Five Olympic Games have taken place in France and the founder of the modern Olympics, Pierre de Coubertin, was born in Paris. French athletes have brought home 231 gold medals from the Summer Olympics and the French team won 31 gold medals in the 1900 Summer Olympics alone.

• Number of gold medals: 239

Germany participated in all the Olympic events before World War II except for the 1920 and 1924 Olympics. There were complications with their participation in the games after the country was split into East and West Germany. Even though Germany has not competed in every Olympic event, this country has been a strong force in the games and is the country with the fifth most Summer Olympic Gold Medals. From the Summer Olympics, Germany has won 239 gold medals.

• Number of gold medals: 263

Since competing in its first Summer Olympics in 1932, The People's Republic of China has won 263 Gold Medals in the Summer Games. China competed in the 1932, 1936, 1948, and 1952 Summer Olympics and then didn't compete again until the 1980 Winter Olympics. Out of the many successful Chinese Olympians, the most successful is Wu Minxia, a female diver who has won five gold medals.

• Number of gold medals: 292

From the first modern Olympic event in 1896, Great Britain has competed in every round of the Olympics. In fact, Great Britain is the only country that has had athletes compete every year in the Olympics. Until 1920, Great Britain and Ireland competed in the Olympic Games together. The most successful Olympian from Great Britain is Jason Kenny, who won a total of seven gold medals in track cycling events.

• Number of gold medals: 395

The Soviet Union comes in second on the list of countries with the most Olympic Gold Medals from the Summer Olympics. Even though the Soviet Union won more medals than the U.S. from 1952-1988, the Soviet Union also didn't compete in the Olympics for 40 years after the 1912 Olympics. This country has made quite an impact in the Olympics since its return to the games and was the second country to win more than 1,000 medals in the Olympics.

• Number of gold medals: 1070

The United States has won more gold medals in the Summer Olympics than any other country. With a total of 1070 gold medals in the Summer Olympics alone, the US has won more Olympic medals than the other competing countries. The U.S. is also home to many of the most successful Olympic athletes in history, including Michael Phelps, Mark Spitz, and Carl Lewis. (Don't miss the 9 Youngest Olympic Gold Medalists in History.)