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EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND – AUGUST 07: Jack Laugher of Great Britain celebrates winning gold in the Men’s 1m Springboard Final during the diving on Day six of the European Championships Glasgow 2018 at Royal Commonwealth Pool on August 7, 2018 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Scotland. Glasgow 2018 is the first multi-sport European Championships. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
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EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND – AUGUST 07: Jack Laugher of Great Britain celebrates winning gold in the Men’s 1m Springboard Final during the diving on Day six of the European Championships Glasgow 2018 at Royal Commonwealth Pool on August 7, 2018 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Scotland. Glasgow 2018 is the first multi-sport European Championships. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
The Tokyo Olympics 2021 is almost here. There is less than a month to go for its commencement and fans are gradually gaining interest. Diving has been a sport at the Olympics since 1904. Ever wondered which nation has dominated this event in the last century?
Diving made its Olympic debut at the 1904 Games of St. Louis, the edition where the concept of gold, silver, and bronze medals was introduced. So it was a special Olympic edition, and diving has remained on the schedule ever since.
Which country has won the most medals in diving?
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It goes without saying. The United States of America is the most dominant when it comes to the Olympic games. It is purely due to the quality of athletes they produce. The USA has been taking part in diving events ever since it was introduced in 1904.
So far, the United States has won a total of 138 medals in diving. This is made up of 49 golds, 44 silvers, and 45 bronze medals. The Americans can boast about being the most decorated country when it comes to diving at the Olympics.
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JUNE 12: Hailey Hernandez (L) and Krysta Palmer celebrate after placing second and first in the women’s 3-meter springboard final during 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials – Diving – Day 7 at Indiana University Natatorium on June 12, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
However, it should be noted that China only began competing in diving events from the 1984 Olympics. They currently hold the second spot in the all-time tally, which is an impressive feat indeed.
Here is a table of the Top 5 medal-winning nations in diving:
| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| 1 | United States (USA) | 49 | 44 | 45 | 138 |
| 2 | China (CHN) | 40 | 19 | 10 | 69 |
| 3 | Sweden (SWE) | 6 | 8 | 7 | 21 |
| 4 | Russia (RUS) | 4 | 8 | 6 | 18 |
| 5 | Soviet Union (URS) | 4 | 4 | 6 | 14 |
Read More – Which Country Has Won the Most Medals in Swimming at the Olympics?
Who is the most successful diver ever?
If you ask this question to an American or an avid follower of diving, the answer would most likely be Greg Louganis. Though he retired long back, Louganis is still relevant to the sport due to his overwhelming accomplishments.
Louganis participated in three Olympic games and won five medals (four golds and one silver). He also dominated in the World Championships and Pan American Games and earned the reputation as the greatest diver ever.
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However, Greg Louganis is not the most decorated Olympian diver in history. That accolade belongs to Wu Minxia of China, who won seven gold medals at the Olympics between 2004-2008.
Read More – Who is the Youngest Swimmer to Have Won Gold at the Olympic Games?
