2008 Summer Olympics: Record-Breaking Achievements and a Medal Milestone

Countries Achieving Their First Ever Medal

The 2008 Summer Olympics marked a historic milestone with blue asterisks displayed next to countries that achieved their first-ever medal in the Games.

Medal Table and Dominance

China emerged as the dominant force, winning the most gold medals (48) and the most total medals (100). The United States, despite capturing the greatest number of total medals (112), ranked second in gold with 36.

New Olympic Records

In the 800m final, Rebecca Adlington shattered the previous record by an impressive two seconds, clocking in at 8:14.10.

Global Medal Distribution

The 2008 Games witnessed an unprecedented level of medal distribution, with 87 countries securing at least one medal. Host nation China, with its impressive gold medal haul, became the seventh country to lead the medal table in a Summer Olympics.