Countries With The Most Olympic Medals

Since the modern Olympics began in 1896, 206 National Olympic Committees representing countries have competed in the Summer and Winter Games, with over 162 of them earning medals. Of these NOCs, certain countries have stood out as exceptional performers, consistently achieving high medal counts and showcasing remarkable athletic talent. The United States, Soviet Union, United Kingdom, Germany, France, China, Italy, Sweden, Australia, and Japan have been particularly successful, earning the most medals over the course of the Olympic Games history.

Top 10 Countries With The Most Olympic Medals Of All Time

1. United States - 3,094 Medals

The United States has a total of 3,094 medals, 1,215 of them being gold. The country first participated in the original 1896 Athens Olympics, winning the most gold medals (11) and ranking second overall. Before World War I, the US's performance varied, as they had fewer athletes compared to the host countries. During the interwar period, however, the US excelled, securing the highest medal counts for four consecutive Olympics. Their success was interrupted after the Soviet Union joined in 1952, regaining dominance only after its collapse. Since 1992, the US has led the summer medal count six times. The US team was not a strong contender in the Winter Olympics until the 2002 Salt Lake City Games, but they have ranked within the top four ever since.

2. Soviet Union - 1,204 Medals

The Soviet Union won 1,204 medals during its Olympic participation, 473 of which were gold. In the early 20th century, following the Russian Revolution and Civil War, the Soviet Union abstained from the Olympics on ideological grounds. However, they joined in 1952, viewing the Games as a platform to promote communism. Once they entered, they dominated, ranking first in 13 out of the 18 Games they competed in and second in the remaining five. The Soviet Union disbanded in 1991, ending their direct participation, but seven of the 15 former Soviet Republics competed in the 1992 Games as the Unified Team.

3. United Kingdom - 1,015 Medals

The United Kingdom, competing as the “Great Britain and Northern Ireland Olympic Team,” has won 1,015 medals in total, 310 of them gold. They have been participating in the Olympics since the 1896 Athens Olympics, where they ranked fifth overall and won seven total medals. 981 of their medals have been from the Summer Olympics. In fact, Great Britain is the only country to have secured at least one gold medal in every Summer Olympics. The country has not been as successful in the Winter Olympics, earning only 34 medals. The United Kingdom ranked first overall in the 1908 Olympics, second in the 2016 Olympics, and third in the 1900, 1912, 1920, and 2012 Olympics.

4. Germany - 955 Medals

Germany has earned a total of 955 medals, including 317 gold. They first competed in the 1896 Athens Olympics, winning 13 medals. Due to the World Wars, the International Olympic Committee barred Germany from participating in the 1920, 1924, and 1948 Olympics. Over the years, Germany has competed under various designations due to its political divisions: Germany (GER), Saar (SAA), United Team of Germany (EUA), West Germany (FRG), and East Germany (GDR). Since 1992, following reunification, Germany has competed as a single entity, represented by the IOC code GER.

5. France - 953 Medals

Since France competed for the first time in the 1896 Olympics, they have won a total of 953 medals, 280 of them gold. They have competed in every Summer and Winter Olympics, except, perhaps, the 1904 Games, where a French immigrant was recognized by the IOC as representing the US team. 815 of France’s medals have come from the Summer Olympics, while 138 have been from the Winter Games. France was especially successful in fencing and cycling during the Summer Olympics and Alpine skiing during the Winter Olympics.

6. China - 804 Medals

China has won a total of 804 medals in the Olympics, including 325 gold. They participated in the Paris 1924 Olympics for the first time, although all four of their representing athletes withdrew before their competitions. Due to political disputes and divisions in China during the 20th century, the country participated as both the Republic of China (ROC) and the People's Republic of China (PRC). Today, China’s IOC code is CHN. Over the years, China has finished first in the Summer Olympics one time, second four times, and third two times. According to medal counts, they are the most successful in the Asia and Oceania regions.

7. Italy - 799 Medals

Italy has earned a total of 799 medals, 271 of which were gold. They participated for the first time in 1896, sending one competitor in shooting. They did not win a medal until the 1900 Paris Olympics, however, where they won three gold medals and two silvers. Italy has taken part in all of the Winter Olympics, winning 141 medals, and has won 658 during the Summer Olympics. The country has been especially successful in cycling and fencing during the Summer Olympics, as well as cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, and luge during the Winter Olympics.

8. Sweden - 690 Medals

Sweden has earned 690 medals during its participation in the Olympics, 216 of which were gold. They competed in the original 1896 Athens Olympics, sending one competitor for gymnastics and athletics, although they did not win any medals. Sweden has earned medals at every Olympic Games except for the 1896 and 1904 Olympics, with the latter being a year they did not compete. Athletics is one of their most successful Summer Olympic sports, while cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, speed skating, figure skating, ice hockey, and curling are some of their most successful Winter Olympic sports.

9. Australia - 619 Medals

During its course as an Olympic Games participant, Australia has earned 619 medals, 188 of which have been gold. They have also been competing in the Olympics since the original games in 1896, and have participated in every Summer Olympics, and nearly every Winter Olympics, besides the Winter Games of 1924, 1928, 1932, and 1948. Due to the country's warmer, tropical, temperate, and arid climates, Australia is much stronger in the Summer Olympics, with swimming, athletics, cycling, and rowing being the country's most successful sports. In fact, 78 of the country's gold medals come from swimming alone.

10. Japan - 618 Medals

During its history of participation in the Olympics, Japan has won 618 medals, 206 of which are gold. The country competed in the Olympic Games for the first time in 1912 with two competitors. Japan did not win a medal until 1920 when they won two silver medals in tennis. Japan's most successful Olympic Games were in 1964 and 2020, with Tokyo serving as the host for both events. They have earned 542 medals in the Summer Olympics, with a large number of their gold medals from Judo, Karate, and skateboarding.

Although these ten countries currently lead with the highest medal counts, future rankings are likely to shift. Since the Soviet Union collapsed in the 1990s, another country is poised to potentially overtake its second place soon. A history of political instability has been a determining factor in Olympic participation and results as well. As new talents emerge and countries continue to invest in their Olympic teams, the future of the Olympic Games will continue to evolve.

Rank of All Countries With Olympic Medal Count