Olympic medal table and how the USA media ranks countries - changing the tables so they are at the top

Triathlon Forum
1

I was reminded about how the USA media changed the way the medal table was calculated at the Beijing Olympics, when they were quite clearly spanked by China in terms of golds.

Funny when you see how different media rank the medallists:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/2012/medals/historical-medals-beijing-2008/countries

http://www.london2012.com/medals/

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/medals

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/olympics/2008/medals/tracker/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/2602029/US-accused-of-medal-table-spin-Beijing-Olympics-2008.html

Will the USA top this year’s medal count?

ps who else is psyched for the olympics?

2

Yes - the US will be on top.

Can’t wait.

Another question - how many Countries with Phelps beat in terms of medals won.

China won the gold count based on judged events. Perhaps that is why some media outlets look to total medals.

3

I think the US will come in second to New Zealand. But then again, who cares?

4

Any way you look at it.

COUNTRY MEDALISTS TOTAL

United States
46 29 29 104
China
38 27 22 87
Russia
24 25 33 82
Great Britain
29 17 19 65
Germany
11 19 14 44

I was reminded about how the USA media changed the way the medal table was calculated at the Beijing Olympics, when they were quite clearly spanked by China in terms of golds.

Funny when you see how different media rank the medallists:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/...ijing-2008/countries

http://www.london2012.com/medals/

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/medals

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/...2008/medals/tracker/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/...g-Olympics-2008.html

Will the USA top this year’s medal count?

ps who else is psyched for the olympics?

5

russia beat us in bronzes…damn
.

6

I would love to see it calculated proportionately OR how about determine a medal count based on where these athletes went to college or live and train? How does USA not win that contest?

7

I think the national medal count is kind of pointless. All it tells you is who’s been sinking the most resources into their olympic team the longest.

8

I think the national medal count is kind of pointless. All it tells you is who’s been sinking the most resources into their olympic team the longest.

Well then China lost BIG time …

9

Good point. Guess I oversimplified a little, but still–making it a competition between countries just downplays the great athletes from small countries.

10

so when a team wins a gold do they count each teammate’s medal as one? I love fancy accounting to bolster our hyper-nationalist ways

11

I would love to see it calculated proportionately OR how about determine a medal count based on where these athletes went to college or live and train? How does USA not win that contest?

I’ve always wondered why so many athletes compete for other countries… Maria Sharapova have lived in the USA since she was 7 and life here has helped afford her the success she has had. Why wouldn’t she play for the US in the olympics or other country vs country competition. I’m sure there are TONS of others, I just know shes one of the most visible.

12

Some athletes would not make the USA team so they play for their birth country. Think about all of the NBA players who probably have dual or us citizenship playing for their own country.

13

You might find this chart we did interesting regarding medal counts. It’s a topic of great debate every olympics in media organizations.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/08/07/sports/olympics/the-best-and-worst-countries-in-the-medal-count.html

–Alan

14

In those cases I get it. But thats not always the case. Like Felix Sanchez in the 400m Hurdles… Born in NYC, grew up in California, went to college at USC. Why not compete for the USA??

15

Why not just do a 3-2-1 points system for gold-silver-bronze. No brainer.

16

As long as New Zealand is below Australia in the medal tally, all is good in the world.

17

I was in a sports bar in Cairns in 2006 the night the Aussies finally beat the Kiwi all blacks in rugby. Had no idea how intese the rivalry was.

18

In those cases I get it. But thats not always the case. Like Felix Sanchez in the 400m Hurdles… Born in NYC, grew up in California, went to college at USC. Why not compete for the USA??
It could be a matter of funds. Correct me if mistaken but I read an article and also heard it on television that the USA is the only country that does not offer government support to athletes. If this is the case and people being taxed on medals, it is understandable that some would compete for their mother land. With Russia hosting the next games, it is only fitting (to me) that Sharapova play and represent her country.

19

In those cases I get it. But thats not always the case. Like Felix Sanchez in the 400m Hurdles… Born in NYC, grew up in California, went to college at USC. Why not compete for the USA??
It could be a matter of funds. Correct me if mistaken but I read an article and also heard it on television that the USA is the only country that does not offer government support to athletes. If this is the case and people being taxed on medals, it is understandable that some would compete for their mother land. With Russia hosting the next games, it is only fitting (to me) that Sharapova play and represent her country.

Boy, they’re right when they say Americans have no idea when it comes to geography. When did I miss Rio de Janeiro moving to Russia?

20

Boy, they’re right when they say Americans have no idea when it comes to geography. When did I miss Rio de Janeiro moving to Russia?

Russia DOES have the next Olympic games … the winter Olympics in 2 years.