2024 Paris Olympics: United States extend medal count lead, closing in on China for most gold after Day 6

The United States entered Day 6 of the 2024 Paris Olympics with five gold medals, six behind China for the lead. With four finals victories on Thursday – including a thrilling performance from star gymnast Simone Biles – the U.S. closed the gap while also extending its overall medal count lead.

The U.S. now has 37 total medals, which is 10 more than France, which sits in second with 27. The gold-medal deficit is now only two after China became the first country to hit double digits, winning its 10th and 11th gold medals on Thursday.

There’s plenty more hardware left for the taking on Friday, as well. Here’s where the full medal count sits after Day 6 of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

2024 Paris Olympics: Medal Count after Day 6

1. People’s Republic of China: 11 gold, 7 silver, 6 bronze (24 total)
2. United States: 9 gold, 15 silver, 13 bronze (37)
3. France: 8 gold, 11 silver, 8 bronze (27)
4. Australia: 8 gold, 6 silver, 4 bronze (18)
5. Japan: 8 gold, 3 sliver, 5 bronze (16)
6. Great Britain: 6 gold, 7 silver, 7 bronze (20)
7. Republic of Korea: 6 gold, 3 silver, 3 bronze (12)
8. Italy: 5 gold, 7 silver, 4 bronze (16)
9. Canada: 3 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze (8)
T-10. Germany: 2 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze (6)
T-10. Netherlands: 2 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze (6)

Simone Biles stole the show for the United States on Thursday. She capped her all-around performance with the floor routine – her strongest event – and further proved why she’s the best in the world. Her 15.066 sealed her second gymnastics gold medal of the 2024 Paris Olympics, and she wasn’t the only U.S. gymnast to shine on Thursday.

Suni Lee also showed out and clinched a bronze medal with an electric floor routine. She didn’t waste any time proving she wanted to make the podium, sticking the landing on her first pass en route to a 13.660. That was better than the 13.535 she needed to secure a medal, and she came in third overall in the all-around.

It was also another record-setting day from Katie Ledecky. The U.S. swimming sensation won her 12th medal as the 4×200-meter relay team brought home silver on Thursday. That made her the most decorated U.S. female Olympian in history and came after she won gold in the 1,500-meter freestyle on Wednesday.

Now, the attention shifts to Friday as the athletics events begin at the 2024 Paris Olympics. For the United States, there will be more opportunities to extend the medal count lead and keep pace with China for gold.