This summer was filled with excitement as an action packed, conspiracy and controversy laden Summer Olympics took place in Paris. The Americans took home the most medals, including narrowly tying for the most gold medals, marking the fourth consecutive summer olympics in which the US won the most gold medals, and the seventh consecutive summer olympics in which the US won the most medals overall. The US has won the most gold medals in 19 of the 30 modern Summer Olympic Games and the most overall medals 17 times.

The team’s success this year was due in large part to the track and field team, which was responsible for 14 of the US’ 40 gold medals this year, part of a total of 34 of the US’ 126 medals overall. This is in no way a departure from the US’ track record (no pun intended), with the US having won its most summer Olympics medals in the sport. It is, however, a breath of fresh air from a period of lower performance in recent years. In Tokyo 2021 the United States took home 25 total medals from Athletics, including seven golds. Rio 2016 saw 32 total medals and 10 gold medals, London 2012 saw 29 total and 11 gold, and Beijing 2008 once again saw 25 total and seven gold.

The United states won gold medals this year in Men’s 100m, 400m, 1500m, 110m Hurdles, 400m Hurdles, Shot Put, and 4x400m Relay, as well as in Women’s 200m, 100m Hurdles, 400m Hurdles, Long Jump, Discus Throw, 4x100m Relay, and 4x400m Relay, having an equal seven medals for both men and women. 

The most decorated Athletics athlete for the United States was Gabrielle Thomas, with three gold medals, one in Women’s 4x400m Relay, one in Women’s 200m, and one in Women’s 4x100m Relay. The next most decorated Athletics athlete was Femke Bol of the Netherlands with one gold medal, one silver medal, and one bronze medal. Thomas was the only athlete to earn three gold medals in Athletics. Only three Athletics athletes earned two gold medals, two of them American athletes, namely Rai Benjamin and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.

The United States’ Athletics performance at this year’s Olympiad was especially comeback heavy. Five of the 14 gold medals this year were come-from-behind wins, including four of six men’s running events. Other comeback medalists include Kenneth Rooks in Men’s 3000m Steeplechase and Yared Nuguse in the Men’s 1500m.

Other highlights include but are not limited to Women’s 4x100m Relay and the Men’s 200m.