Whether you prefer to rank the Olympic medal count by total medals or by gold medals, the top country in Tokyo is the same.
The United States.
Coming into the last day of competition on Sunday, the U.S. had a pretty good feeling about women's basketball. That team delivered, using its size and experience to beat Japan 90-75. (STORY)
In basketball, that's the USA's seventh straight gold medal. In volleyball, the streak now stands at one. In fact, it's the first ever gold medal for the U.S. women. (STORY)
Another breakthrough win came on the cycling track, where Jennifer Valente won the women's omnium to win the first gold medal a U.S. women's cyclist has won in a velodrome. (STORY)
Another country that fared quite well in team sports is France, which won the women's handball gold (STORY) to go along with the country's gold medals in men's handball, mixed team judo and men's volleyball; silver medals in men's basketball and women's rugby; and a bronze medal in women's basketball. That doesn't include medals by duos, trios or foursomes in fencing team events, cycling, sailing and rowing.
SEE MORE: Valente wins omnium, historic U.S. track cycling gold
From Tokyo to Paris
The Games that were postponed and then threatened by a global pandemic closed with a mix of sentimentality and joy, celebrating many different cultures before emphasizing Japanese traditional music and a dazzling video montage of the next Olympic host, Paris.
Elegant classical music gave way to a jaunty march as flag bearers, including U.S. javelin thrower Kara Winger, stepped into the stadium, followed by a sizable contingent of athletes who took down their masks just long enough for the occasional selfie.
The music continued and segued into passages representing many countries, including many instruments from Asian cultures and even a brief smattering of bagpipes.
Following the usual custom, Tokyo handed off to Paris, which seized the moment by turning the national anthem over to shots of musicians all over Parisian landmarks and even some skate parks.
After the formalities, a group of smiling children took center stage before the cauldron wasn't so much extinguished but closed upon itself, signaling the end of these improbable, spectacular Games.
But Tokyo isn't done. The Paralympics start in two weeks.
View social media post: https://twitter.com/DylanAlcott/status/1424283625051148290
SEE MORE: The Olympic Rings form during the Closing Ceremony
Around the Games
Boxing: The U.S. men are still awaiting their first gold medalist since 2004, but Richard Torrez Jr. and Keyshawn Davis gave judges something to think about in their gold medal bouts to cap a strong performance by several U.S. boxers. (STORY)
Water polo: Serbia took its second straight gold medal and fourth straight medal of any kind in men's water polo, pulling away late to beat Greece 13-10. The U.S. men lost their finale against Croatia to finish sixth. (STORY)
Rhythmic gymnastics: Two events, two upsets of the ROC. Bulgaria did the honors this time with a win in the group event. (STORY)
Track and field: No world record or serious shot at the two-hour mark this time, but Eliud Kipchoge defended his Olympic title on a hot day in Sapporo. (STORY)
Cycling: Great Britain's Jason Kenny won the men's keirin to raise his career totals to seven gold medals and nine total. His wife, Laura Kenny, won a gold and a silver in Tokyo to run her totals to five and six. (VIDEO)
SEE MORE: Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge defends Olympic marathon gold
Medalists
Basketball, women's: Gold - United States, Silver - Japan, Bronze - France
Boxing, women's lightweight: Gold - Kellie Harrington (IRL), Silver - Beatriz Ferreira (BRA), Bronze - Sudaporn Seesondee (THA), Bronze - Mira Potkonen (FIN)
Boxing, men's lightweight: Gold - Andy Cruz (CUB), Silver - Keyshawn Davis (USA), Bronze - Hovhannes Bachkov (ARM), Bronze - Harry Garside (AUS)
Boxing, women's middleweight: Gold - Lauren Price (GBR), Silver - Li Qian (CHN), Bronze - Nouchka Fontijn (NED), Bronze - Zenfira Magomedalieva (ROC)
Boxing, men's super heavyweight: Gold - Bakhodir Jalolov (UZB), Silver - Richard Torrez Jr. (USA), Bronze - Frazer Clarke (GBR), Bronze - Kamshybek Kunkabayev (KAZ)
Cycling, women's omnium: Gold - Jennifer Valente (USA), Silver - Kajihara Yumi (JPN), Bronze - Kirsten Wild (NED)
Cycling, men's keirin: Gold - Jason Kenny (GBR), Silver - Azizulhasni Awang (MAS), Bronze - Harrie Lavreysen (NED)
Cycling, women's sprint: Gold - Kelsey Mitchell (CAN), Silver - Olena Starikova (UKR), Bronze - Lee Wai Sze (HKG)
Handball, women: Gold - France, Silver - ROC, Bronze - Norway
Rhythmic gymnastics, group: Gold - Bulgaria, Silver - ROC, Bronze - Italy
Track and field, men's marathon: Gold - Eliud Kipchoge (KEN), Silver - Abdi Nageeye (NED), Bronze - Bashir Abdi (BEL)
Volleyball, women's: Gold - United States, Silver - Brazil, Bronze - Serbia
Water polo, men's: Gold - Serbia, Silver - Greece, Bronze - Hungary
