by Mick the Ram

In a dramatic conclusion to the Games, the United States pipped China to the top of the medals table of the Paris Olympics.

In the final event of the sporting extravaganza, spread over 16 days of wonderful competition, the US needed to beat France in the women’s basketball final to go back above the Chinese, who had overtaken them on the penultimate day.

In typical fashion, it took a last minute score to win an exciting contest and seal the number one spot.

The win over France meant the US and China ended level on 40 gold medals each, but the Americans secured the top position having won 126 medals including silvers and bronzes, against the Chinese’s total of 91.

Behind these came the Japanese, who carried on from their excellent performances in their home Games three years ago to take 20 gold medals, which represented a terrific achievement.

The French – despite the disappointment of losing the final match to the US – enjoyed an exceptional Games, as is so often the case for the host nation.

The Australians will have been delighted with their fourth place finish, with 18 gold medals comfortably helping them to their best-ever medals haul.

France took fifth spot with a massive 64 medals, 16 of which were gold and almost doubled their tally from Tokyo, where they only won 33 medals in total.

Surprise packets were the Netherlands who took 15 golds, which saw them above Great Britain in the medals table, although GB did win 65 medals in total, a number which was beaten only by the US and China.

South Korea, Italy and Germany completed the top ten.