Which country topped the overall medal table at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics?

Introduction / Context:
The medal table at any Olympic Games is closely watched, as it reflects the overall sporting dominance of different countries. At the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics, one country clearly led the tally in terms of both gold medals and total medals. This question checks whether you remember which nation finished at the top of the medal standings in Rio, a very common fact based question in sports general knowledge.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• We are looking at the official medal table of the Rio 2016 Olympics. • The concern is about which country ranked first overall. • Standard Olympic ranking is usually based on number of gold medals first, then silver and bronze.

Concept / Approach:
Historically, the United States of America has often dominated Olympic medal tables, especially in recent decades. At Rio 2016, the USA again finished comfortably ahead of other countries in gold medals and total medals. Great Britain, China and Russia were also strong performers but did not surpass the USA. Therefore, knowing general Olympic history quickly guides you toward the correct answer even if you do not remember the exact number of medals.

Step-by-Step Solution:
• Step 1: Recall that the United States traditionally fields a very large and strong Olympic contingent. • Step 2: Remember that at Rio 2016 the USA performed strongly in swimming, athletics, gymnastics and many other sports. • Step 3: Compare this with Great Britain, China and Russia, which also did well but had fewer gold medals. • Step 4: Recognize that the medal table showed the USA at rank one. • Step 5: Select United States of America as the correct option.

Verification / Alternative check:
If you have seen the official medal tally, you would notice that the USA finished with more than forty gold medals and over one hundred total medals at Rio 2016. Great Britain came second, followed by China, but they both had fewer golds and fewer medals in total. Russia also had a smaller total due to various participation issues. All major sports news outlets and official Olympic reports list the United States as the top nation in the Rio medal standings.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
• Great Britain: Finished high in the table, but not above the USA. • China: A leading sporting nation, yet placed below the United States in Rio 2016. • Russia: Did not top the medal table and had participation limitations in some disciplines.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates confuse the ranking order among Great Britain, China and Russia, or assume that China was first due to its large population. Others remember highlights from a particular sport, like Britain success in cycling or China strength in gymnastics, and mistakenly think that implies overall dominance. Always rely on the official medal table ranking, which for Rio 2016 clearly places the United States at the top.

Final Answer:
The nation that topped the medal table at Rio 2016 was the United States of America.