Simone Biles broke the world record for number of medals in which sport?
Olympic legacy
United States at the Olympics: Gold, Glory and Greatness
Team USA has dominated the Olympics for over a century. Our athletes have racked up medals, broken records, and hosted the most events. From teen champions (do you know how old the youngest athlete was?) to historic gold medal sweeps, American athletes have made their mark. From swimmers to gymnasts to track stars, they have brought speed, skill, and power to the Olympic Games. We're here to explore some of the coolest records and achievements that make the US an Olympic powerhouse!
Image: Anna Shvets
The US: The ultimate Olympic host
If hosting the Olympics were a sport, the US would take home the gold medal, as America has welcomed the Games eight times—more than any other country.
The Summer Olympics have taken place in St. Louis (1904), Los Angeles (1932, 1984), and Atlanta (1996), while the Winter Olympics have been held in Lake Placid (1932, 1980), Squaw Valley (1960), and Salt Lake City (2002).
And that’s not the end—Los Angeles is gearing up for 2028, so it’s safe to say the torch never stays away for too long!
Image: Obed Hernández
Winning more medals than anyone else
If there’s one thing Team USA knows how to do, it’s win medals—a lot of them. As of 2024, the US has claimed a staggering 2,765 Summer Olympic medals (including 1,105 golds) and 330 Winter Olympic medals. No other country even comes close.
Whether on the track, in the pool, or on the ice, American athletes have consistently outperformed the competition.
Image: Ethan Wilkinson
Dominating track, field, and the pool
Certain sports just seem to bring out the best in American athletes. From Jesse Owens on the track to Katie Ledecky in the pool to Carl Lewis soaring through the air, American athletes have rewritten the record books time and time again.
In track and field, for example, the US holds the record for the most gold medals, with over 400.
When it comes to swimming, Team USA has made an even bigger splash, earning more than 570 total Olympic medals—the most in any single sport.
Image: Austris Augusts
Michael Phelps: The GOAT of the Olympics
Speaking of rewriting the record books, we need to talk about Michael Phelps—the most decorated Olympian of all time.
With 28 medals (23 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze), the legendary swimmer dominated the pool across five Olympic Games. His eight gold medals at Beijing 2008 were a record-breaking feat, proving that when it comes to Olympic greatness, no one comes close. Phelps didn’t just set records—he shattered them, leaving behind a legacy that may never be topped.
Image: Braden Egli
Winter Games greatness: Apolo Ohno’s record run
While the Summer Olympics have clearly brought in the most medals, the US has had its fair share of Winter Olympic heroes.
The most decorated of them all? Apolo Ohno, the short-track speed skating sensation. Ohno raced to eight Olympic medals, cementing his place as America’s greatest Winter Olympian. You simply had to watch him dodge crashes, make last-second moves, and celebrate with his signature goatee.
Image: Filip
When the US brought home 83 golds in one year
The 1984 Los Angeles Olympics marked a golden era for Team USA—and we mean that quite literally.
With the Soviet Union and several other countries boycotting the Games, American athletes dominated, winning 83 gold medals—the most ever at a single Summer Olympics.
Image: Viktor Forgacs
The only time the US won just one gold
But it wasn’t always like that—there were times when the story went differently for Team USA. While 1984 was all about collecting golds, 1980 was a different story.
That year, Team USA won only one gold medal… but what a gold it was! The US men’s hockey team, made up of young college players, pulled off the famous "Miracle on Ice," defeating the heavily favored Soviet team before going on to win gold. One gold medal? Sure. But it was one of the greatest moments in Olympic history.
Image: Matthew Fournier
A medal sweep like no other
The 1904 St. Louis Olympics were unlike any other—and not just because it was the first time the Games were held in the US.
Due to travel difficulties and a lack of international participation, Team USA won over 80% of all medals awarded. While it wasn’t exactly a fair fight, it still stands as the biggest medal sweep in Olympic history. Sometimes, just showing up is half the battle, you know?
Image: Mia de Jesus
Youngest US champion: A 13-year-old diving prodigy
Most Olympic champions train for years before making their mark—but that wasn’t the case for Marjorie Gestring, who won a gold medal in diving at just 13 years and 268 days old at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. While most kids her age were just starting middle school, she was standing atop the Olympic podium. To this day, she remains the youngest US Olympic champion ever.
Image: Austrian National Library
Simone Biles: The queen of US gymnastics
When it comes to American gymnastics, Simone Biles is in a league of her own. With 11 Olympic medals (7 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze), she is the most decorated US female gymnast in history.
Her powerful routines, gravity-defying skills, and unmatched mental toughness have made her an icon, inspiring future generations of gymnasts. Whether she’s flipping, twisting, or making history, Biles continues to raise the bar—literally.
Image: Brian Wangenheim
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