France will be the center of attention in the sports world for two-plus weeks beginning on Friday, when the 2024 Summer Olympics begin with the Opening Ceremony in Paris. This marks the third time -- and first in a century -- the capital city will host the Summer Games and the sixth time the country welcomes the world's top athletes, as the Winter Games were held in France on three occasions - most recently in 1992 in Albertville.

Roughly 1,000 medals will be awarded during the 2024 Paris Games, with an estimated 10,500 athletes from 206 countries -- as well as a team comprised of refugees -- participating in 329 events across 32 different sports. The United States has dominated the Summer Olympics since their inception in 1896, winning 2,629 total medals and 1,061 golds in 28 editions. The former Soviet Union ranks second in both categories with 1,010 and 395, respectively.

The Americans are -2000 favorites (risk $2,000 to win $100) to win the most medals and -550 to bring home the most golds in the latest 2024 Olympics odds. China is +1300 for the most overall medals and +350 for most golds, while Great Britain is tied for third with Japan for both total medals at +6000 and is third most golds at +4200. The first medal will be handed out on Saturday.

Before locking in any 2024 Summer Olympics medal futures or predictions, you NEED to see what SportsLine Olympic insider Dan O'Brien has to say.

O'Brien is a highly decorated decathlete who won the gold medal in the decathlon at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, becoming the first American to accomplish the feat since Bruce Jenner 20 years earlier. O'Brien is also a five-time U.S. champion and three-time world champion in the event, and he held the decathlon world record from 1992-99 and the heptathlon world record from 1993-2010. As a result of his achievements, O'Brien is a member of the USATF, USOC and IAAF Halls of Fame.

Now, O'Brien has broken down the 2024 Paris Olympics from every possible angle and locked in his medal predictions and best bets. 

We can tell you O'Brien is predicting Team USA will lead the Summer Games in total medals for the eighth straight time and 19th overall. "They always win the most medals, plain and simple," O'Brien told SportsLine. "I expect the Americans to win the medals they're supposed to win and come home with some that maybe no one expected them to win."

O'Brien also has identified which countries to back and fade on the medal table at the 2024 Olympics, including a longshot who has a chance to shock the world! You ABSOLUTELY need to see his 2024 Summer Games medal futures picks before locking in your own.

Which countries should you back and fade at the 2024 Summer Olympics, and which longshot can shock the world with its medal count? ... Join SportsLine now to see Dan O'Brien's medal futures bets and analysis for the 2024 Summer Games, all from the 1996 Olympic decathlon gold medalist who also is a three-time world champion in the event!