As the Paris 2024 Olympic Games finish, Europe can proudly celebrate a series of remarkable performances. Athletes from across the continent demonstrated their prowess in a wide range of sports, bringing home an impressive total of 226 medals: 68 gold, 72 silver, and 86 bronze.
The continent’s medal count is far surpassing that of other regions. Europe finished well ahead, winning 105 more medals than Asia and 111 more than the Americas.
The French Olympic team set a new record with 64 medals, surpassing their previous high of 43 from Beijing 2008. This included 16 gold medals, breaking their record of 15 golds from Atlanta 1996.
Exceptional Europeans athletes
Yaroslava Maruchikh is an Ukrainian high jumper. She holds the world record in the event with a jump of 2.10 m (2024 Paris Diamond League). She added an Olympic gold medal to her impressive collection during Paris 2024.
Leon Marchand of France, whose outstanding performances in swimming saw him win four individual gold medals, a feat achieved by only a handful of swimmers in Olympic history, and the highest gold medal count of the Games.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, the French bicycle racer who won the gold medal in the cross-country mountain biking in Elancourt, France.
Armand Duplantis of Sweden captured the gold in the men’s pole vault and extended his world record to 6.25 meters, setting a new standard in athletics.
Standout performances
Great Britain‘s synchronised 3m diving team, which clinched the first European medal of the Games, set the tone for the continent’s success.
Great Britain‘s Katy Marchant, Sophie Capewell, and Emma Finucane set world records in the women’s team sprint cycling event.
Remco Evenepoel from Belgium won the first gold for Europe, with fellow European cyclists Filippo Ganna of Italy and Wout van Aert of Belgium claiming silver and bronze, respectively, marking a European podium sweep.
The European Olympic Committee (EOC)
The triumph of European athletes at Paris 2024 is partly a result of the strong development pathways created by the European Olympic Committees (EOC). Events like the European Games and European Youth Olympic Festivals have played a crucial role in readying athletes for success on the world stage.
EOC President Spyros Capralos praised Paris 2024 for showcasing the best of Europe. Capralos declared: “We can say that the Olympic Games has shown the best of Paris, the best of France, and the best of Europe.”
He concluded: “In stunning venues with packed crowds, we have seen athletes from across the world entertain fans and produce memories that will last a lifetime for all involved.”
Olympics Games driving betting amounts
The ANJ, the French gambling regulator predicted that betting during the Paris Olympic Games could reach €240 million, just in France, doubling the amount wagered during the Tokyo Games in 2021. 25% of French people interested in the Olympics considered placing bets.