The 2016 Rio Olympics were a major success for the United States, from Michael Phelps’ Medley Relay Final gold medal to Katie Ledecky’s 400m freestyle world record, to Simone Biles’ 4 gold medals. The United States won 51 more medals than China, who placed second, compared the the 16 medals won over China in the 2012 London Olympics.  

2016 Olympic Medals:

United States: 46 gold, 37 silver, 38 bronze. 121 in total

China: 26 gold, 18 silver, 26 bronze. 70 in total

Great Britain:   27 gold, 23 silver, 17 bronze. 67 in total

Russia: 19 gold, 18 silver, 19 bronze. 56 in total

Germany: 17 gold, 10 silver, 15 bronze. 42 in total

2012 Olympic Medals:

United States: 46gold, 29 silver, 29 bronze. 104 in total

China: 38 gold, 27 silver, 23 bronze. 88 in total

Great Britain:   24 gold, 26 silver, 32 bronze. 82 in total

Russia: 29 gold, 17 silver, 19 bronze. 65 in total

Germany: 11 gold, 19 silver, 13 bronze. 44 in total

Katie Ledecky broke the world record for the 400m freestyle with a time of 3:56:46, nearly 2 seconds from the previous record,also set by her when she was 17 years old and nearly 5 seconds away from the other competitors. At 19, Ledecky was the youngest member of the US team and could become only the third American female swimmer to win four gold medals in one Olympics. Katie Ledecky broke a world record at the Rio Olympics this year and has a good chance to win more medals and break more records in her career.

Michael Phelps at 31 years old has won a total of 23 Olympic gold medals. This year, Phelps earned five gold medals, including an Olympic record in the Men’s 4x100m Medley Relay Final, with a time of 3:27:95.

Simone Biles, 19 years old. Biles is a three-time world all-around champion, four-time United states all-around champion, three-time world floor champion, along with many other accomplishments. In the 2016 Rio Olympics, she won 4 gold and 1 bronze medal. According to nytimes.com, Biles is considered the “world’s best gymnast” and truly lives up to the expectations that are set for her. Biles has impressed the world and judges with her scores that she brought to the Olympics this year. She has many more achievements to show to the world and to herself.

According to Quora.com, The US naturally has a larger talent pool to develop from, making the United States so successful at the Olympics. According to Time.com, they won a combined total of 12 gold, two silver and one bronze medals. Between Phelps, Ledecky and Biles, they dominated the Rio Olympics.