Paris Olympics 2024: List of countries that won an Olympic medal for the first time

Dominica and St. Lucia scripted history winning their maiden Olympic medal at the Paris Olympics.

The Paris Olympics 2024 will be remembered as a record-breaking event filled with dramatic moments, deep emotions, and outstanding performances by athletes from around the world. For many competitors, the Olympics represent the peak of their careers—a stage where years of hard work and sacrifice are put to the ultimate test in the hope of winning medals for their countries.

This edition of the Games was notable for many reasons, particularly the surprising twists in the medal standings. Unlike previous years, the United States struggled early on and spent much of the first week outside the top five on the medal table. It wasn’t until sports like swimming, diving, and athletics began that the Team USA was able to climb to the top of the standings.

China emerged as a dominant force throughout the Games, delivering impressive performances in various sports, including swimming, diving, and tennis. Their success highlighted China as one of the standout nations of the 2024 Olympics, offering a glimpse of what the future may hold for the country in global sports.

For India, the Games were a mix of highs and lows. Manu Bhaker made history by becoming the first Indian athlete to win two medals in the same Olympics. However, despite high expectations, India fell short of its goal of reaching double digits in the medal count, finishing with six medals (potentially seven, pending a final decision on Vinesh Phogat’s result).

While Indian shooters performed admirably, disappointing results in badminton, boxing, and wrestling hampered the country’s overall performance.

Beyond the traditional powerhouses, the Paris Olympics 2024 will also be remembered for the historic victories of nations that won their first-ever Olympic medals. These moments underscore the global appeal of the Games and the relentless pursuit of excellence by athletes from all corners of the world.

For these countries, winning their first Olympic medal is a monumental achievement that will inspire future generations. Here are some of the most memorable first-time medal victories:

Also Read: Top 10 athletes to have won the most medals at Olympics

Albania

Albania won its first-ever Olympic medal when Chermen Valiev, originally from Russia, secured a bronze in the men’s freestyle 74kg wrestling event. Valiev, who has competed for Albania since this year, made history after a hard-fought battle, eventually defeating Viktor Rassadin of Tajikistan 6-2 in the bronze medal match.

Cape Verde

Cape Verdean boxer Daniel Varela de Pina brought home the country’s first Olympic medal by winning bronze in the men’s flyweight 51kg category. In a historic semi-final bout, De Pina defeated his opponent from Uzbekistan with a decisive 5-0 victory, making him a national hero and marking a significant milestone for Cabo Verde.

Dominica

Triple jumper Thea LaFond made history for Dominica by winning the country’s first-ever Olympic medal, a gold in her event. LaFond, who now lives in Maryland, had already made her mark earlier this year at the World Indoor Championships. Her victory in Paris is a proud moment for Dominica, a small Caribbean nation with a population of just 70,000.

Saint Lucia

Julien Alfred, a sprinter from the tiny Caribbean island of Saint Lucia, stunned the world by winning the women’s 100-meter final in Paris. Alfred’s victory, with a time of 10.72 seconds, secured Saint Lucia’s first-ever gold medal in Olympic history. She went on to add a silver medal in the women’s 200m race, making it the most successful Olympics ever for Saint Lucia.

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