Reaching the Olympics is a goal that takes athletes endless determination and hard work. It's an honor to represent your country in the Games and can take you from a mere athlete to a legend.
The best part about the Olympics is that any athlete from any country can become the star of an unforgettable moment. Throughout the years, dominance in any given sport shifts around among different countries.
Rave Reviews recently looked back at Olympic history to determine which sport each competing country has shown the most dominance in.
USA — Swimming
The USA boasts of having the national sport with the highest success rate. USA Swimming has taken home 236 gold medals, 172 silver medals, and 125 bronze medals.
Australia — Swimming
Swimmers have represented Australia at every Summer Olympics since Paris 1900. Australia has 62 gold medals, 70 silver medals, and 69 bronze medals.
Germany — Swimming
Germany has earned 55 gold medals, 62 silver medals, and 71 bronze medals. Altogether, Germany has won the second-most medals in the Olympics altogether, coming after the United States.
Italy — Fencing
Fencing has been one of Italy's favorite sports since its gold medal win in Paris 1900. Italy has won 49 gold medals, 43 silver medals, and 33 bronze medals in fencing.
France — Fencing
France isn't half bad at fencing either. The country has won 42 gold medals, 41 silver medals, and 35 bronze medals.
Russia — Gymnastics
Russia has always excelled in gymnastics, winning 90 gold medals, 85 silver medals, and 66 bronze medals. The women's gymnastics team in particular has continuously been regarded as one of the most esteemed group of athletes out there.
Hungary — Fencing
Hungary has won the third-most gold medals and second-most total medals in fencing worldwide, after Italy and France. Hungary has brought home 37 gold medals, 23 silver medals, and 27 bronze medals.
Japan — Judo
The Japanese sport of judo was introduced to the Olympics in 1960. It was contested in 1968, but that hiccup didn't stop Japan from dominating in the sport, winning 39 gold medals, 19 silver medals, and 26 bronze medals.
Great Britain — Cycling
In 1996, Great Britain's Olympic standing was suffering until it picked up cycling as its sport to focus on. Great Britain holds 32 gold medals, 30 silver medals, and 25 bronze medals in cycling today.
Cuba — Boxing
Boxing is an incredibly popular sport in Cuba. Most recently, the country has had more than 80 boxers competent enough to compete in the Olympics. The country has won 39 gold medals, 19 silver medals, and 17 bronze medals.
China — Diving
China has contributed the most medals to the sport of diving, and its team is elite. The nation has 40 gold medals, 19 silver medals, and 10 bronze medals in diving.
Sweden — Wrestling
Sweden has 28 gold medals, 27 silver medals, and 31 bronze medals in wrestling. Nearly 75 individual athletes have medaled in the sport since it was introduced in St. Louis in 1904.
Finland — Athletics
Finland has 48 gold medals, 36 silver medals, and 30 bronze medals in athletics. Athletics is composed of track and field events, disc throwing, and more.
Turkey — Wrestling
In 1908, Turkey first sent athletes to the Olympics, then as the Ottoman Empire. Today, Turkey has 29 gold medals, 18 silver medals, and 16 bronze medals in wrestling, holding the most medals in the sport worldwide.
Romania — Gymnastics
In 1976, Romania began to dominate, particularly in women's gymnastics. Romania has brought home 25 gold medals, 21 silver medals, and 26 bronze medals.
