These Ten Countries Are Punching Above Their Weight At the 2024 Summer Olympics

Everyone loves looking at the Olympic Medal Table. But, it doesn’t tell the whole story of what countries are truly the best at the Olympic Games, as it doesn’t account for population. Here are ten countries that are punching above their weight at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

The Olympic Medal table has been on our TV screens frequently for the last two weeks. But, what countries are really doing well when you consider their population?

While this list isn’t a strict per capita list of medal-winning countries, it will highlight ten countries that do much better than their population suggests. All medal totals are as of August 7, the completion of Day 12.

Croatia (3.85m) - 6 Medals (2G 1S 3B)

Croatia has long been one of the world’s best sporting countries given their population size, and these Olympics have been no different.

The most impressive thing about their tally is that they’ve won six medals in six different sports with medals in Judo, Taekwando, Track and Field, Tennis, Shooting and Rowing.

St. Lucia (179k) 2 Medals (1G 1S)

St. Lucia’s population is smaller than Brownsville, Texas, but sprinter Julien Alfred has made her country mighty proud. She has two medals, a gold in the 100M dash and a silver in the 200m dash.

Australia (26m) - 41 Medals (18G 12S 11B)

The Australians are well-known for their exploits in the pool, where they are serious challengers to the United States. But, they’re a great all-around Olympics country. They’ve already won medals in eleven different Olympic sports in Paris.

Georgia (3.7m) - 4 Medals (1G 2S 1B)

The former Soviet Republic made waves at this summer’s Euro 2024 soccer tournament, and they’ve continued that sporting success at the Summer Olympics. Three of their four medals have come in Judo and the other was won in Boxing.

Netherlands (17.7m) - 20 Medals (9G 5S 6B)

Netherlands is another country that always performs well at the Olympics, and Paris has been no different. Rowing has been their best sport, with eight medals, but they’ve won medals in six others, as well. Most notably, they beat the USA in the Mixed 4×400 Relay on the track.

Kazakhstan (19.6m) - 7 Medals (1G 3S 3B)

Kazakhstan has a proud tradition in the combat sports, and that has continued at the Paris Olympics. Five of their seven medals so far have coming in Judo, Boxing, or Wrestling.

Canada (39m) - 19 Medals (6G 4S 9B)

Canada has had a great Olympics in the swimming pool, as teen sensation Summer McIntosh won the country four medals of their eight total in Swimming.

Ireland (5.12m) - 7 Medals (4G 3B)

Ireland had a fantastic wimming meet in Paris, winning three medals. Daniel Wiffen won the country’s first gold medal in swimming since 1996 in the 800M freestyle, and added another medal in the 1500m Freestyle.

New Zealand (5.14m) - 10 Medals (3G 6B 1S)

The Kiwis are another country that perennially outperforms their population, and that’s continued in Paris. Like the Dutch, they’ve dominated in rowing, winning four medals. Women’s Rugby also brought home the gold in the country’s most popular sport.

Jamaica (2.83m) - 5 Medals (1G 3S 1B)

Jamaica loves the Olympics, and their Track and Field excellence is a huge part of the cultural identity. While Kishane Thompson was out-leaned at the line by American Noah Lyles in the 100m Dash, they’ve still had a good Olympics so far with five medals, all in Track and Field. There should be more coming for Jamaica as Track and Field finishes up, too.