ToplineAs the 2020 Tokyo Olympics draws to a close, only a few competitions remain. But that could be enough for the U.S. and China to win what was almost impossible in the Gamescatching China at the gold medal race.Kevin Durant poses with his gold medal at the medal ceremony for men’s basketball at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Aug. 7, 2021 in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eric Gay). ASSOCIATED PRESSThe Key FactsChina has won 38 gold medals, while the U.S. has 36. China's lead in gold medal counts has shrunk over the last few days. This is because U.S. athletes won several gold medals at track and field, which is a strong suit for the U.S. The U.S. is the favorite to win women's basketball gold, but there are still some opportunities for them to win golds in more difficult events. No. The No. 1 ranked U.S. women’s volleyball team will face off against the No. 2 Brazil will face off in the gold-medal match. Two U.S. boxers will fight in the gold-medal bouts. China only has one boxer who will be participating in a gold-medal bout. However, this could be the best chance for China to win any additional golds. China is unlikely to win any gold medals in the men's and women's marathons, as well as in two track cycling events for women, and in the all-around women's rhythmic gymnastics final.Surprising FactThe U.S. is now the leader in overall medal count, regardless of what the results of the last few events were. The United States had won 108 total gold medals as of Saturday morning. This is well ahead of China's second place finish with 87. However, the Olympics uses the number gold medals to determine where it places its medal table.Important BackgroundTeam USA's performance in Tokyo Games was disappointing by recent standards. China, however, is enjoying one of the best Games in its history. China was the only country to top the medal table when Beijing hosted the Olympics 2008, with China winning 48 golds. China was second with 36 medals, while the United States came in third with 36. The last time the U.S. was beaten by a non-host nation for the top spot in the medal count was 1992 when an Olympic "Unified Team" of former Soviet Union nations won 45 gold medals to the United States' 37. The 1992 Games were also when the U.S. lost the overall medal count.TangentJapan is enjoying its greatest Olympic Games ever, thanks to the normal boost that host countries receive. Japan, which has won 27 gold medals by Saturday, will be third in medal count after the U.S.A and China.Continue readingChina to Beat the U.S. The Olympics Medal Table: Team USA is unlikely to catch up (Newsweek).
