Paris Olympics 2024: List of countries that won their first gold medal
Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia won the country’s first gold medal as well their first Olympic medal.
The Paris Olympics 2024 set new records and delivered a mix of drama, emotion, and remarkable athletic performances from participants worldwide. This prestigious event is a dream for athletes across the globe, who strive to bring home a medal for their nation.
Unlike in previous Games, Team USA struggled to dominate the medal standings early on. They were outside the top five for most of the first week but climbed to the top after the swimming, diving, and athletics events began. China, on the other hand, showcased a strong performance across various sports, including swimming and tennis, making them one of the standout nations of the competition.
Securing a country’s first Olympic medal is a significant achievement, but winning the first gold medal is even more remarkable. At Paris Olympics 2024, several athletes made history by earning their country’s first-ever Olympic gold. Let’s look at these groundbreaking victories:
Also Read: Top 10 athletes with the most Gold medals in Olympics
Botswana
Letsile Tebogo made history on August 8, 2024, by winning Botswana’s first Olympic gold medal in any sport. Tebogo claimed the 200m title with an African record of 19.46 seconds, defeating USA’s Kenny Bednarek and 100m champion Noah Lyles. Tebogo’s win is Botswana’s most memorable Olympic achievement, adding to their previous tally of one silver and one bronze medal.
Dominica
Triple jumper Thea LaFond made history for Dominica at the Paris Olympics, winning the country’s first-ever Olympic medal, which happened to be gold. Despite limited resources, Dominica focused on quality and execution. LaFond, who moved to the United States at age five, emphasized the importance of this victory for her nation, underscoring its significance Afor the people of Dominica.
Guatemala
Guatemala had their best Olympic Games in Paris, winning more medals than ever before. Adriana Ruano Oliva secured Guatemala’s first Olympic gold medal in the women’s trap final, setting a new Olympic record with a score of 45. This historic win was followed by Jean Pierre Brol Cardenas’s bronze in the men’s trap final, marking Guatemala’s most successful Olympic outing.
Saint Lucia
Julien Alfred delivered one of the biggest upsets of the Paris Games by winning the women’s 100-meter final, earning Saint Lucia’s first and only Olympic gold medal. Alfred’s stunning time of 10.72 seconds left her American rivals trailing and brought immense pride to her small Caribbean island nation.
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