The Paralympic Games, the premier international multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities, have seen remarkable achievements since their inception in 1960.
Over the years, the games have grown in size, scope, and importance, with countries vying for supremacy in the medal tally.
The medal table below is a comprehensive all-time tally of Paralympic medals, spanning from the first games in 1960 to the most recent in 2022.
This table includes results from all editions of the Paralympic Games, compiled from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) database and other sources.
It is important to note that the IPC does not officially publish an all-time medal table, and the table provided here is compiled by aggregating the results of individual Paralympic Games.
This includes medals won at the 1992 Summer Paralympics for Intellectually Disabled, held in Madrid, which are not reflected in the IPC database but are considered part of the same event as the Barcelona Paralympics.
All-Time Paralympic Games Medal Table (1960-2022)
The table below lists the top 30 National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) by the total number of medals won.
The table accounts for changes in country names, codes, and any significant geopolitical changes that have occurred since the inception of the games.
| Rank | National Olympic Committee (NOC) | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States (USA) | 925 | 866 | 827 | 2,618 |
| 2 | Great Britain (GBR) | 670 | 635 | 649 | 1,954 |
| 3 | China (CHN) | 554 | 420 | 325 | 1,299 |
| 4 | Canada (CAN) | 459 | 390 | 422 | 1,271 |
| 5 | France (FRA) | 423 | 419 | 433 | 1,275 |
| 6 | Australia (AUS) | 401 | 428 | 411 | 1,240 |
| 7 | West Germany (FRG)* | 354 | 303 | 281 | 938 |
| 8 | Germany (GER) | 308 | 353 | 331 | 992 |
| 9 | Netherlands (NED) | 307 | 272 | 251 | 830 |
| 10 | Poland (POL) | 280 | 271 | 248 | 799 |
| 11 | Sweden (SWE) | 263 | 268 | 222 | 753 |
| 12 | Norway (NOR) | 256 | 213 | 182 | 651 |
| 13 | Spain (ESP) | 236 | 248 | 245 | 729 |
| 14 | Austria (AUT) | 222 | 248 | 251 | 721 |
| 15 | Ukraine (UKR) | 187 | 213 | 213 | 613 |
| 16 | Italy (ITA) | 183 | 227 | 240 | 650 |
| 17 | Russia (RUS) | 175 | 175 | 171 | 521 |
| 18 | Finland (FIN) | 155 | 150 | 166 | 471 |
| 19 | Japan (JPN) | 154 | 172 | 195 | 521 |
| 20 | Switzerland (SUI) | 146 | 156 | 142 | 444 |
| 21 | Israel (ISR) | 129 | 125 | 130 | 384 |
| 22 | South Korea (KOR) | 129 | 118 | 123 | 370 |
| 23 | South Africa (RSA) | 121 | 95 | 88 | 304 |
| 24 | Brazil (BRA) | 110 | 135 | 133 | 378 |
| 25 | Mexico (MEX) | 104 | 92 | 114 | 310 |
| 26 | Denmark (DEN) | 98 | 84 | 109 | 291 |
| 27 | New Zealand (NZL) | 97 | 68 | 72 | 237 |
| 28 | Belgium (BEL) | 88 | 93 | 92 | 273 |
| 29 | Ireland (IRL) | 70 | 68 | 95 | 233 |
| 30 | Iran (IRI) | 67 | 48 | 45 | 160 |
*Note: West Germany (FRG) competed as a separate entity until reunification in 1990, after which the medals were counted under Germany (GER).
Analyzing the Medal Leaders
United States (USA)
The United States holds a commanding lead in the all-time Paralympic medal table with a total of 2,618 medals, including 925 golds.
The country has consistently been a dominant force in the Paralympic Games, particularly excelling in athletics and swimming.
The success of American Paralympians can be attributed to strong institutional support, advanced training facilities, and a deep pool of talented athletes.
Great Britain (GBR)
Great Britain is the second-highest medal winner in Paralympic history, with 1,954 medals, including 670 golds. The country has a rich history in the Paralympic movement, being one of the founding nations.
British Paralympians have excelled in sports like cycling, swimming, and athletics, consistently placing among the top nations at every Paralympic Games.
China (CHN)
China, which made its Paralympic debut in 1984, has rapidly climbed the medal rankings to become the third-highest medal-winning nation.
With a total of 1,299 medals, including 554 golds, China has dominated the Paralympic Games since the early 2000s. The country’s success is largely due to its extensive state-supported sports system, which identifies and nurtures talent from a young age.
Canada (CAN) and France (FRA)
Canada and France are closely matched in the all-time medal table, with 1,271 and 1,275 medals, respectively.
Both countries have a long history of participation in the Paralympic Games, with particular strength in winter sports like ice hockey (Canada) and alpine skiing (France), as well as summer sports like athletics and swimming.
Conclusion
The Paralympic Games have showcased the incredible abilities of athletes with disabilities for over six decades, and the medal table reflects the efforts and achievements of these athletes across the globe.
The United States stands as the most successful country in Paralympic history, followed by Great Britain and China. Each nation’s success story is a testament to the dedication of its athletes and the support systems that help them excel on the world stage.
As the Paralympic movement continues to grow, these medal counts will continue to evolve, but the legacy of these achievements will endure.