At the recently concluded 2024 Paris Olympics, Team USA showcased their sporting prowess in terms of athlete representation and fan support, but it was China that emerged as a formidable competitor in the gold medal hunt. While the United States sent the largest contingent of athletes and attracted a wave of star-spangled tourists, it was China that matched their gold medal tally, each country securing a whopping 40 golds.

Traditionally, the American media focuses on total medal counts, whereas the rest of the world, including the official count of Paris 2024, considers gold medals as the primary determinant. China, known for excelling in disciplines such as diving, table tennis, weightlifting, shooting, and badminton, has consistently dominated in these events. Diving, in particular, has been a stronghold for China, with around one-fifth of their 302 gold medals since 1984 coming from this sport. Unsurprisingly, China swept all diving golds at this year's Games.

Chinese pride and national honor were on full display as spectators, like Fang Zheng, a 30-year-old Chinese student studying in France, expressed their admiration for China's gold medal accomplishments. Fang remarked, "When an athlete wins gold, it's an honor for themselves and their families, but also the country."

However, China's success extended beyond its traditional strongholds, notably in swimming, an area historically dominated by the United States. China secured two gold medals in swimming, including the 4x100-meter medley relay, where they made history by defeating the United States for the first time ever. Pan Zhanle, who had already set a world record in the 100-meter freestyle earlier in the Games, propelled China to victory in the anchor leg, leaving American swimmer Caeleb Dressel, a 10-time Olympic medalist, with a silver medal.

China's triumphs extended to other sports as well. Zheng Qinwen became the first Asian tennis player to clinch a gold medal in the women's category, while China's artistic swimming team surpassed both the United States and Spain with their captivating routine titled "Light of Life." The Chinese routine left an indelible impression on judges, symbolizing their triumph over formidable challenges and earning an outstanding score.

China also demonstrated its proficiency in new Olympic disciplines, including sport climbing, skateboarding, surfing, and breaking. Deng Yawen secured gold in women's BMX freestyle in her Olympic debut. Notably, China even boasted the youngest athlete at the Games, 11-year-old skater Zheng Haohao.

Amid the celebrations, China's achievements in the pool have not come without scrutiny. The revelation that 23 Chinese swimmers, including 11 who competed in Paris, tested positive for banned heart medication in 2021 has sparked allegations of doping. China's doping agency attributed the positive tests to contaminated food, an explanation accepted by the World Anti-Doping Agency, but the incident was only made public after a New York Times investigation. China vehemently denies the allegations, accusing the U.S. anti-doping agency of double standards.

The rivalry between the United States and China in the Olympic arena has become synonymous with geopolitical competition since 2004. While the U.S. typically emerges as the overall winner, China showcased its mettle when it hosted the Games in Beijing in 2008, surpassing Team USA with 51 gold medals. China's commitment to investing in specific sports and its massive population have played a significant role in their consistent performances.

Looking ahead, China has set ambitious goals for itself, aiming to become a leading sports socialist country by 2050 with global influence. The Olympics serve as a platform for projecting power and enhancing nationalistic pride, as gold medals symbolize more than just sporting achievements. Meanwhile, the doping controversies have added fuel to the intensified rivalry between China and the West, further shaping the narrative of these Olympic Games.

As the curtains fall on the 2024 Paris Olympics, China's outstanding gold medal haul raises the bar for Team USA and sets the stage for an even more captivating quadrennial battle in future editions of the Games.