Some nations have dominated certain Olympic sports for so long that it often seems difficult to imagine athletes from other countries standing on top of the podium. But all dynasties must come to an end. With tickets for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on sale and the competition schedule available, we take a look at the most dominant nations across 14 sports. Will their reigns continue in Rio, or will new champions be born?

ATHLETICS

Jamaican sprinters have ruled the roost in the 100m at the last two Olympic Games, with Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce winning golds at Beijing 2008 and London 2012. In China, the Jamaicans completed a 1-2-3 in the women’s race (below), while Yohan Blake took silver behind Bolt in London. The USA’s Justin Gatlin and Carmelita Jeter, who won medals at London 2012 and at the latest world championships, are the Jamaicans’ main competitors.

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(Photo: Getty Images/Michael Steele)

BADMINTON

China has won 16 of the 29 badminton gold medals so far awarded at the Olympic Games. At London 2012, they took all five golds, including Lin Dan’s (below) victory in the men’s singles. The Republic of Korea – which won one gold at Beijing 2008, a bronze at London 2012 and took the top three positions in the men’s doubles event at the latest world championships – is the main threat to Chinese domination.

(Photo: Getty Images/Michael Reagan)

BASKETBALL

With seven golds from the 10 Olympic Games that have featured women’s basketball, the USA has not been off the top of the podium since Atlanta 1996. France, who won silver at London 2012, and Spain, who were runners-up at Beijing 2008 and the latest world championships, will attempt to break US dominance in Rio.

(Photo: Getty Images/Christian Petersen)

TRACK CYCLING

Great Britain have won 16 gold medals in track cycling at the last two Olympic Games, 13 more than the next best performer, France. Besides the French, Germany’s cyclists, who won six medals at London 2012, are the Brits’ main rivals on the track.

(Photo: Getty Images/John Stillwell)

FOOTBALL

In the five tournaments since women’s football entered the Olympic Games at Atlanta 1996, the USA have won four golds, including the last three editions, and one silver. Japan – who won the 2011 World Cup and silver at London 2012 – present the main challenge, along with Canada, France and Brazil.

(Photo: Getty Images/Ronald Martinez)

RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS

At the last four Olympic Games, Russia has won gold in the individual and team rhythmic gymnastics events. Belarus, which had athletes on all the podiums at Beijing 2008 and London 2012, are likely to present a strong challenge to the Russians in Rio.

(Photo: Getty Images/Jamie Squire)

EQUESTRIAN

Germany has won more than double the number of Olympic equestrian gold medals of its nearest rival, Sweden. In the last two Games, German dominance has been most pronounced in the eventing competitions, with the country’s riders winning the individual and team events (including Ingrid Klimke, below) in London and Beijing. Great Britain, which came second in the team event at London 2012 and at the 2014 World Equestrian Games, is Germany’s main rival.

(Photo: Getty Images/Mike Hewitt)

FREESTYLE WRESTLING

Of the 12 gold medals awarded since women’s wrestling was first included in the Games, seven have gone to Japan. At London 2012, Japanese wrestlers stood on the top of the podium in three of the four classes. Kaori Icho (below) and Saori Yoshida, could both win their fourth consecutive gold in Rio. China, which has won two women’s Olympic wrestling golds, and Russia, the only country to remove the Japanese from the top of the podium in London, are the main challengers.

(Photo: Getty Images/Lars Baron)

SYNCHRONISED SWIMMING

Since the Sydney 2000 Games, Russian athletes have won every synchronised swimming Olympic gold medal available, in both the duet and team events. The Chinese and Spanish, who also featured on the podium in both events at the London Games, are the main challenges.

(Photo: Getty Images/Clive Rose)

SWIMMING

The USA men’s 4x100m medley relay team are responsible for one of the greatest Olympic dynasties, having continuously occupied the top of the podium since the Los Angeles 1984 Games, winning eight consecutive gold medals. Japan and Australia, who made the podium at Beijing 2008 and London 2012, present the main threat to American hegemony.

(Photo: Getty Images/Ronald Martinez)

DIVING

Nineteen of the last 24 diving gold medals have been awarded to Chinese athletes, with six at London 2012, including He Zi’s  (below) silver in the women’s 3m springboard. The United States, which won four medals in London, and Russia, which appeared on the podium seven times at the last two Olympic editions, are the likeliest challengers.

(Photo: Getty Images/Al Bello)

TABLE TENNIS

Since table tennis was first included in the Olympic Games, China has dominated the medals table, winning 24 of the 28 golds awarded. Zhang Jike (below) took the men’s individual title in London. The last time that another country stood on top of the podium was at Barcelona 1992. The German men and Japanese women have the best chances of competing with the Chinese for gold.

(Photo: Getty Images/Feng Li)

ARCHERY

Having won 14 of a possible 36 gold medals, the Republic of Korea is the dominant force in archery. At the London 2012 Games, the country’s archers won three of the four events, repeating their performance from Athens 2004 and Sydney 2000. Bo Bae Ki (below) took gold the women’s individual and team competitions. China, which won five medals at the last two Olympic Games, and Italy, which won gold in the men’s team event in London, are likely to compete with the Koreans for the top of the podium.

Foto: Getty Images/Paul Gilham

BEACH VOLLEYBALL

Kerri Walsh and Misty May of the USA have won gold at the last three Olympic Games, going 21 games unbeaten. May retired after London 2012, but Walsh will compete in Rio alongside London silver medallist April Ross. Brazil and China pose the biggest threats.

(Photo: Getty Images/Ryan Pierse)