Japan Predicted to Finish 6th in Paris Olympics Medal Count
With the Paris Olympics just a month away, Japan is projected to secure the sixth spot in the overall medal count, amassing 46 medals—12 fewer than its tally at the Tokyo Olympics, according to sports data firm Gracenote.
Predicted Medal Tally
The latest virtual medal table forecast positions the United States at the top with 123 medals (37 gold, 34 silver, and 52 bronze), followed by China with 87, Great Britain with 62, host nation France with 56, and Australia with 48. Japan is expected to earn 12 gold, 13 silver, and 21 bronze medals across 16 different sports. This is a drop from the 27 gold medals Japan achieved at the Tokyo Games, which were held a year late due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Athletes to Watch
Key athletes tipped for gold include gymnast Daiki Hashimoto, judoka Hifumi Abe, and wrestlers Yui Susaki, Akari Fujinami, and Tsugumi Sakurai. Hashimoto is anticipated to clinch three gold medals, including in the men’s all-around and team events, adding to the two he won in Tokyo.
Data and Predictions
The virtual medal table, which relies on a statistical model using data from key competitions since the last Olympics, will be updated once more, about three days before the opening ceremony on July 26. Some team sports will commence even before the opening ceremony, and the Games will continue until August 11.
Japan's Aspirations and Preparations
Mitsugi Ogata, Secretary-General of the Japanese Olympic Committee and head of Japan's delegation to the Paris Games, stated that Japan is aiming for a total of 55 medals, including 20 gold. Historically, the most gold medals Japan has won as a non-host nation is 16, achieved at the Athens Games in 2004.
Japan is set to send approximately 400 athletes to Paris, marking its largest delegation for an Olympics held outside Japan. A send-off ceremony for Japan's Olympic delegation is scheduled for July 5.
As Japan gears up for the Paris Games, the country hopes to replicate and build upon its previous successes on the global stage.
