France Uses Olympics Home Advantage to Boost Medals Tally

• Three white-suited BMX riders from France swept the gold, silver, and bronze medals in the same event, celebrating a magical moment with the French public.
• France won 64 medals, including 16 golds, nearly doubling its tally from Tokyo 2020 and surpassing previous records from Rio 2016, London 2012, and Beijing 2008.
• The host nation's success is attributed to intensified training, bigger budgets, and a new national approach to managing top athletes, led by the Agence Nationale du Sport.
• French athletes excelled in traditionally strong sports like fencing, judo, and cycling, with standout performances from swimmer Léon Marchand and judoka Teddy Riner.
• Despite some athletes cracking under pressure, France's overall performance met President Emmanuel Macron's ambitious goal, placing fourth in overall medals and fifth in golds.

Source: Financial Times