Thank you volleyball players, thank you Althéa Laurin! On the eve of the final events of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, France owes its place in the top 5 of the medal table - its stated objective - to the gold won with mastery, this Saturday, by the Volleyball Blues against Poland and by Althéa Laurin, first Olympic champion in the history of French taekwondo.
Thanks to these 15th and 16th gold medals, the French delegation not only beat its golden record from Atlanta in 1996 but also regained the advantage over Great Britain, which had passed in front of it the day before. With a total of 62 medals including 16 gold, France therefore occupies 5th place behind China, the United States, Australia and Japan. Great Britain has 63 medals, including 14 gold, and therefore remains threatening as the final podiums of the Games will be decided this Sunday.
France still has a few chances of medals to increase its total and, if possible, the gold one, on which the ranking of nations is based. The Blues will thus count on the French women's basketball team, which will have to achieve an authentic feat in the final against the United States this Sunday (3:30 p.m.), or on Élodie Clouvel and Marie Oteiza in the modern pentathlon.
Behind, South Korea (30 medals including 13 gold) and the Netherlands (32 including 13 gold) now appear much less threatening for France. In total, there are only 13 Olympic titles left to be awarded this Sunday. At the top of the rankings, the fight will rage until the end between the two superpowers, China (38 gold medals) and the United States (37).
The 2024 Paris Olympics showcased exceptional performances, notably from the French volleyball team who delivered a thrilling final against Poland. The team, led by the legendary Ngapeth, displayed an incredible comeback against Germany in the quarter-finals and overwhelmed reigning world champions Italy in the semi-finals, setting the stage for an electrifying final.
In addition to volleyball, the Olympics saw remarkable achievements in table tennis, with South Korea's Shin Yu-bin earning two bronze medals. Her journey from a child prodigy to an Olympic medalist has inspired many, showcasing the resilience and dedication required to excel at the highest level of competition.
