78 countries managed to earn a medal in Rio, 54 national teams went home with one gold medal at least. The USA is on the top with a medal count of 121 (46 gold), as you can expect from such a big & rich country with a very competitive tradition. Great Britain (with the help of Northern Ireland) collected 26 gold (67 all together). Place 3 went to China (26/70). Russia, handicapped by the ban of their huge Track & Field team, got place 4. Germany ranked 5th (17/42).
The host Brazil earned 7 gold medals (place 13), including one for a very lucky win against Germany´s soccer youth. Kenya & Jamaica each collected 6 gold medals, the Iran earned 3 times gold, Thailand & North Korea (!) each gained 2 times gold, Indonesia, Bahrain & Fiji each got one gold medal.
The list reflects size & economic power (elite sports is extremely expensive) but also ambition. I expect that in the future Olympics the emerging markets will earn more medals and might even challenge mighty USA.
Congratulations to all.
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