How does a country win the olympics, total medals, gold medals, or something else?

Question

How does a country win the olympics, total medals, gold medals, or something else?

Answer 1

The point of the Olympics is meant to be to promote global harmony via sport, rather than having national winners or losers.  The medals are for recognition of individual and team achievement, with the gold medals dictating the leader board.  In the end it's about bringing countries together.  

Answer 2

There is no official winner of the Olympics

but the IOC lists the countries in order of the most GOLD medals won

Answer 3

lolololol the olympics do the exact opposite of create harmony because they are countries competing against eachother  

Answer 4

Countries do not "win" the Olympics.  Medal tallies are just for bragging rights.