Is anyone else annoyed with the olympic medal count?

[ilima]

What makes me kind of chuckle is the different ways the medal count is displayed. Here in the US we have the countries ranked by total medals, putting the US on top. Of course, China has way more GOLD medals, although I do think it's worth noting that a lot of these golds came in sports where judging is involved.

I think Canada is also listing the total medal count, because they are higher on the list that way, while Great Britain is ranking by gold medals, which places them higher than total medal count.

The Olympic team structure is set up to promote nationalism, although I think anybody appreciates a transcendent performance no matter what country they come from. And a lot of the sports compete as national teams regularly (unlike cycling that has trade teams).

Imagine, though, if international competitions were about creating the best team, period. I wonder by how much a 4x100 freestyle relay team composed of Michael Phelps, Jason Lezak (both USA), Eamon Sullivan (AUS) and Alain Bernard (FRA) would crush the world record.

[Mr. Bloom]

What makes me kind of chuckle is the different ways the medal count is displayed. Here in the US we have the countries ranked by total medals, putting the US on top.

One day, I think we'll accept that we're not the "happenin' place" we used to be...

[bounceswoosh]

You won't see *every* sport even if you watch all night. The only way to see Taekwondo, at least locally, is to watch online. But -- as far as I know, this is the first Olympics where I can actually view all the matches online. Sure, they still don't bother to provide commentary, but at least I can watch it. That thrills me.

When I heard about the 33 year old gymnast -- and saw her win a silver medal -- well. To me, that is way more amazing than a 41 year old swimmer. But I admit I don't know much about either sport.

[badgercat]

Don't cry for Dara. She came from major $$$ and has always lived a posh life.

I've kind of wondered about the backgrounds of a lot of athletes, U.S. in particular because that's where I'm from... I was watching a piece on Nastia Liukin, an American gymnast, and there was a clip of her and her dad driving around in a Porsche. Or maybe a Ferrari. I just remember it was something no one in my family could afford.

I'm not trying to knock the talents these people have, and I'm certainly not looking to start a class war or say they're only where they are because of their upbringing... but it's just interesting to think about how much money can affect the level of training an athlete receives. Like... how many people out there might have similar natural gifts, but just haven't had the opportunity to cultivate it because they just didn't have the same resources? It's mind boggling.

Anyway, back to what the OP asked... medal counts are kind of annoying. The media coverage here in general gets on my nerves. Show me less talking and more running/diving/jumping/whatever!

[kelownagirl]

The Canadian channel, CBUT, doesn't seem to do that--that's why we watch it!

Plus we have cute commercials.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGUnZsXW9Sw

[kelownagirl]

Found this.

http://blogs.kansascity.com/tvbarn/2...mpics-cov.html

[ilima]

I was really happy to see the 33yo 'German' gymnast win the silver. Phenomenal.

[Aggie_Ama]

Like... how many people out there might have similar natural gifts, but just haven't had the opportunity to cultivate it because they just didn't have the same resources? It's mind boggling.

Anyway, back to what the OP asked... medal counts are kind of annoying. The media coverage here in general gets on my nerves. Show me less talking and more running/diving/jumping/whatever!

Whereas last night they said Shawn Johnson's family took out a second mortgage on their house more than once to keep her training.

Then they switch to diving where the one girl and her dad moved to be near the good diving center while her mother stayed working in California. It takes a bit of money to maintain two households, I would think but who knows we just maintain one.

I read an article on how much it really costs to raise an Olympian, lots of money goes into to seeing your little darling on the podium of a sport.

[sfa]

Whereas last night they said Shawn Johnson's family took out a second mortgage on their house more than once to keep her training.

Then they switch to diving where the one girl and her dad moved to be near the good diving center while her mother stayed working in California. It takes a bit of money to maintain two households, I would think but who knows we just maintain one.

I read an article on how much it really costs to raise an Olympian, lots of money goes into to seeing your little darling on the podium of a sport.

I wonder about all of the others who made similar sacrifices (money and time and effort) whose kids didn't make it onto the team, let alone the podium.

[malkin]

I like that 33 year old gymnast too.
And Michael Phelps' mom.

But I'm pretty tired of the coverage.

[Irulan]

I've kind of wondered about the backgrounds of a lot of athletes, U.S. in particular because that's where I'm from... I was watching a piece on Nastia Liukin, an American gymnast, and there was a clip of her and her dad driving around in a Porsche. Or maybe a Ferrari. I just remember it was something no one in my family could afford.

I'm not trying to knock the talents these people have, and I'm certainly not looking to start a class war or say they're only where they are because of their upbringing... but it's just interesting to think about how much money can affect the level of training an athlete receives. Like... how many people out there might have similar natural gifts, but just haven't had the opportunity to cultivate it because they just didn't have the same resources? It's mind boggling.

Anyway, back to what the OP asked... medal counts are kind of annoying. The media coverage here in general gets on my nerves. Show me less talking and more running/diving/jumping/whatever!

In the US, as I understand it, the athletes don't receive a lot of state/federal funding, it is up to the individual and whatever sponsors they can come up with and still remain non-professional. So ya, no resources = no olympic coaching. Our government would rather spend money on, oh, never mind.

here's an interesting article. The USA is one of three countries that does not support it's olympic atheletes.

The United States is one of only three countries where Olympic athletes receive no government funding. Instead the U.S. Olympic Committee relies exclusively on income from the sale of television broadcast rights and from corporate sponsors.

I'm not saying that warehouseing a kid at a state training facility from the age 3 on is the answer either, but surely there is someplace in the middle? This article was a little to rah-rah private sector for me but it does explain how US funding works.

funding article

[kelownagirl]

Michael Phelps has more Gold medals than my country....

[bmccasland]

Plus we have cute commercials.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGUnZsXW9Sw

That is cute!
This is the first year I haven't watched the Olympics at all. I am so burned on only showing the medal rounds where the US has a chance. And then only in the "popular" sports. grumble grumble.

[colby]

Michael Phelps has more Gold medals than my country....

It's okay... your country is better looking.

(Zing!)

[OakLeaf]

It's okay... your country is better looking.

(Zing!)

LMAO! The other day I had to explain to DH how the men's swimming is SO not the female porn equivalent of the women's gymnastics and beach volleyball... I still don't think he understood...