PARIS — The United States of America (USA) emerged victorious atop the medal table at the Paris Olympics, narrowly edging out arch-rivals China in a dramatic final day of competition. The race for supremacy came down to the last event of the Games, the women’s basketball final, where the USA secured a nail-biting 67-66 victory over host nation France. This triumph not only clinched the gold medal for the basketball team but also ensured that the USA maintained its streak of topping the Olympic medal table for the fourth consecutive Games. The final tally saw the United States finish with 126 medals, including 40 gold, 44 silver, and 42 bronze. China, despite dominating in several key disciplines, finished with 91 medals, also including 40 gold. The USA’s superior overall medal count ultimately tipped the balance in their favor. The competition between the two sporting powerhouses was intense throughout the Games. China had taken the lead in the medal table, largely due to their dominance in pool events like diving and artistic swimming, as well as their traditional strengths in table tennis and weightlifting. However, the Americans responded with a series of standout performances in track and field, securing 14 gold,...