What We’re Showing
This graphic shows the countries with the highest number of all-time gold medals in the Summer Olympics, based on data from the International Olympic Committee.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. won roughly 10% of Summer Olympic medals during the vast majority of the 20th century
- American swimmer, Michael Phelps, has won more medals than any Olympic athlete ever, with 23 gold medals under his belt
- In 1984, China competed in its first Summer Olympics in 32 years after the communist-ruled country received formal recognition from the International Olympic Committee
- The USSR earned the most medals at nearly every Summer Olympics from 1956 to 1992, and continued to lead in 1992 even after its dissolution
