After more than half a month of competition, the 2024 Paris Olympics ended with the US delegation leading with 126 medals (40 gold, 44 silver and 42 bronze medals).

“It really is a testament to the effectiveness of the American university system and college coaching. The quality of coaching today comes from the fact that the United States is setting higher standards. American elite sports have benefited greatly from the university system,” said Lord Coe, a two-time Olympic track and field champion and chairman of the London 2012 Olympic Organizing Committee, according to The New York Times .

The role of school sports education

The United States has long dominated the Olympic Games, consistently topping the medal table.

One of the key factors contributing to this success is the role of school sports education. The core of the US Olympic status lies in an education system that supports and nurtures young student-athletes, providing world- class training facilities, and uniquely integrating sports with academic development.

Educational institutions play a key role in developing Olympic athletes for the country. From elementary school to college, the United States has successfully integrated sports with education, allowing talented young people to maintain their education while pursuing their athletic goals.

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College athletic education, especially at the university level, under the guidance of the NCAA has contributed to the resounding success of American sports at the Olympics.

Physical education classes, school sports teams, and competition programs provide a foundation for young athletes to develop their skills. Many Olympic athletes began their journey through these foundational programs.

High schools in the United States offer specialized sports programs that provide advanced training and competition. The structure and intensity of these sports prepare athletes for competition at the collegiate, intercollegiate, and professional levels.

In addition, the outstanding strength of the American education system is the ability to integrate sports and academics seamlessly and support each other.

Schools and students themselves recognize that balancing academics and athletics is important for long-term success, especially after their peak years. As such, schools provide a variety of academic support services to student-athletes to ensure they can maintain their education while pursuing their athletic goals.

Notably, the operation of a college athletic education institution plays a significant role in the success of American sports.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a non-profit organization that administers and manages sports activities at approximately 1,100 schools in the United States and one school in Canada, helping more than 500,000 students annually participate in competitions at three levels (Division I, Division II and Division III).

Through state-of-the-art training, facilities, and competitive environments, the NCAA helps student-athletes develop skills and gain experience. NCAA-sponsored college sports programs provide the exposure and development needed to help athletes transition from college to international competition.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, the top five NCAA-affiliated US universities in medal count include:

1. Stanford University: 34 medals (12 gold, 11 silver, 11 bronze) from 22 athletes.

2. University of California: 17 medals (4 gold, 6 silver, 7 bronze) from 13 athletes.

3. University of Texas: 16 medals (7 gold, 7 silver, 3 bronze) from 13 athletes.

4. University of Virginia: 15 medals (7 gold, 5 silver, 3 bronze) from 8 athletes.

5. University of Southern California: 13 medals (6 gold, 2 silver, 5 bronze) from 12 athletes.

The university that has produced the most athletes in history

The University of Southern California (USC) boasts of producing more Olympic athletes and winning more medals overall than any other university in American history, according to its website.

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The University of Southern California (USC) is proud to have produced more Olympic athletes than any other university in the United States.

USC's track record includes 512 athletes who have participated in either the Summer or Winter Olympics, winning a total of 326 medals, including 153 gold medals (as of the 2024 Games).

“If USC were a country, its Summer Olympics medals would rank it 13th globally.” “USC’s history includes seven inductees into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame,” the school’s website states.

USC also sent 16 athletes (third most after Stanford University and UCLA) to the recent Paris Olympics.

In fact, USC is famous for its athletic programs combined with strong school spirit. The intercollegiate athletic teams that represent USC are grouped under the name USC Trojans (Southern California Trojans). The USC Trojans are considered one of the most successful college sports ventures of all time.

The USC Trojans include boys' sports such as baseball, basketball, soccer, golf, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and water polo, while girls' sports include basketball, beach volleyball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and water polo.

The USC Trojans have won 137 team national championships, including 113 NCAA titles, ranking third among universities, behind UCLA and Stanford.

USC's success in producing Olympic athletes is closely tied to the university's commitment to providing top-notch training and support resources to its student-athletes, such as state-of-the-art gyms, pools and specialized equipment that support high-level training and performance.

College training programs are designed to help athletes reach their full athletic potential while maintaining academic success.

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