Kenya finished 16th and emerged as the best-performing African country at the just-ended Olympic Games in Paris with a total of 11 medals – four gold, two silver, and five bronze.

Algeria placed second in Africa and 39th place overall with three medals - two gold and a bronze, while South Africa finished 44th overall and third in Africa with 1 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze.

The USA topped the medal standings with 126 medals (40 gold, 44 silver, and 42 bronze), with China second with 91 medals (40-27-24) and Japan third with 45 medals (20-12-13).

Team Kenya's Chef de Mission (delegation leader) Shadrack Maluki commended the athletes for their dedication.

“We have given it our all as a country. We need to thank our athletes for literally giving their all for their motherland,” Maluki, the Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya, said.

“It wasn’t an easy Olympics because what we saw was the application of technology by countries that embraced it, while we relied on raw talent.

“It’s high time we embraced technology and, going forward, the National Olympic Committee of Kenya, together with the government, will work to ensure that whatever is needed to improve our sports is available to our athletes. Thank them for their commitment and dedication.”

Kenya’s four gold medals were won by Beatrice Chebet (5,000m, 10,000m), Faith Kipyegon (1,500m), and Emmanuel Wanyonyi (800m).

The three silvers came via Kipyegon (5,000m) and Ronald Kwemoi (5,000m), with the five bronze medals earned by Faith Cherotich (3,000m steeplechase), Abraham Kibiwot (3,000m steeplechase), Mary Moraa (800m), Benson Kipruto (marathon), and Hellen Obiri (marathon).

Los Angeles last night took over the mantle as hosts of the next Olympic Games in 2028, promising to put on a spectacular show.

Paris handed over the flag to LA at the closing ceremony held at the Stade de France, a departure from the opening ceremony that was held virtually across the French capital.

“On August 11, 2024, LA28 will give the world a taste of what’s to come in Los Angeles, a world-class city at the center of sport, culture, and creativity. People come to Los Angeles from every corner of the world to chase their dreams and in 2028, 15,000 elite athletes will join that chase. And we can’t wait to welcome you to the city of dreamers,” the LA organizers said in a communication released Sunday.

“Los Angeles is a cultural melting pot with a youthful energy and cutting-edge innovation at its core.”

See the top 10 African countries below

1) Kenya (17th globally)
2) Algeria (39th globally)
3) South Africa (44th globally)
4) Ethiopia (47th globally)
5) Egypt (52nd globally)
6) Tunisia (52nd globally)
7) Botswana (55th globally)
8) Uganda (55th globally)
9) Morocco (60th globally)
10) Cote D'Ivoire (84th globally)