The All-Time Olympic Medals by Country; United States Owns Massive Lead
In a recent article, we looked at the number of countries that have medaled at each Olympiad since the 1896 Games in Athens. At the most recent Olympics in Paris, 19 nations sent athletes to the podium inside La Defense Arena, a total that has been relatively consistent at the quadrennial competition.
Now, Swimming World looks at how many countries have medaled in Olympic history. In the 30 Olympic Games held between 1896 and 2024, 57 countries have seen at least one athlete earn a medal in the pool. The United States is the runaway leader with 608 medals. Australia sits second on the list with 232 medals, with no other nation reaching triple digits.
Despite competing for the last time at the 1988 Games in Seoul, East Germany still ranks in the No. 3 position, with 92 medals. That status speaks to the power of the German Democratic Republic, which was heavily fueled by the systematic-doping program implemented by its government in the 1970s and 1980s.
Only 44 countries have featured gold medalists, with the United States again leading the way by a sizable margin. Team USA athletes have collected 265 gold medals, more than three times the tally of 76 by Australia. East Germany is third with 38 gold medals, followed by Hungary with 32.
Eight countries have one medal to their credit: Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Singapore, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Trinidad & Tobago and Venezuela. Of that group, Kazakhstan, Lithuania and Singapore boast gold medalists in the form of Dmitriy Balandin (2016; 200 breaststroke), Ruta Meilutyte (2012; 100 breaststroke) and Joseph Schooling (2016; 100 butterfly).
Here’s a look at the countries that have won at least one medal:
Most Olympic Medals
United States-608
Australia-232
East Germany-92
Great Britain-87
Japan-84
Hungary-81
Germany-67
Netherlands-65
Canada-63
China-61
Soviet Union-59
France-51
Sweden-41
Italy-35
Russia-23
South Africa-22
West Germany-22
Brazil-17
Denmark-15
Austria-12
Unified Team of Germany-12
Romania-11
Unified Team-10
Ukraine-9
Australasia-8
Spain-8
Greece-8
Ireland-7
Zimbabwe-7
New Zealand-6
Poland-6
Russian Olympic Committee-5
South Korea-5
Belgium-5
Finland-5
Tunisia-4
Costa Rica-4
Hong Kong-4
Switzerland-4
Argentina-3
Bulgaria-3
Belarus-3
Yugoslavia-3
Mexico-2
Suriname-2
Slovakia-2
Cuba-2
Norway-2
Philippines-2
Kazakhstan-1
Lithuania-1
Singapore-1
Croatia-1
Serbia-1
Slovenia-1
Trinidad & Tobago-1
Venezuela-1
Here’s a look at the countries that have won at least one gold medal:
Most Olympic Gold Medals
United States-265
Australia-76
East Germany-38
Hungary-32
Japan-24
Netherlands-23
Great Britain-21
China-18
Germany-15
Canada-12
Soviet Union-12
France-12
Sweden-11
South Africa-8
Italy-7
Unified Team-6
Russia-5
Romania-4
Ukraine-4
Ireland-4
West Germany-3
Denmark-3
Tunisia-3
Brazil-2
Australasia-2
Spain-2
Zimbabwe-2
New Zealand-2
Russian Olympic Committee-2
Austria-1
United Team of Germany-1
Greece-1
Poland-1
South Korea-1
Belgium-1
Costa Rica-1
Argentina-1
Bulgaria-1
Yugoslavia-1
Mexico-1
Suriname-1
Kazakhstan-1
Lithuania-1
Singapore-1
