Who is really winning Olympics

[troutman]

I thought it would be interesting to see how each country is doing in the medal count relative to population. I used the UN population figures for 2000, and the up-to-date medal standings. I only calculated as far as Canada, so I'm sure many other countries could appear on this list. What this shows me is that Australia's record is the most impressive, followed by the Netherlands. Canada is not doing much worse than the US in relative terms. China is doing quite poorly given the large population.

Another report could be made based on each country's GNP. I leave that for someone else to calculate.

Relative medal Standings:

Medals/1,000,000 population

Australia = 2.036
Netherlands = 1.195
Hungary = 1.099
Belarus = 1.096
Greece = 1.009
Bulgaria = 0.988
Cuba = 0.714
Romania = 0.712
South Korea = 0.448
France = 0.438
UK = 0.409
Germany = 0.401
Italy = 0.382
Russia = 0.343
Ukraine = 0.342
Spain = 0.294
Japan = 0.260
USA = 0.256
Canada = 0.228
Poland = 0.207
China = 0.041

Joe Sports read my calculations on the Big Show! He called me a legal wizard and a math wizard. LOL!

[I_H8_Crawford]

Hmmm... interesting, but I think medals/number of athletes sent to the games would give a better picture.

what if 80% of the USA athletes are medalling as opposed to 10% of Canadian athletes?

Yes the US has a much higher population base to draw from, but at this level, does that mean that US athletes are inherently better than Canadians? A lot of our athletes receive the same training as they attend the same Univs and compete in the same NCAA events...

[JayP]

Originally posted by I_H8_Crawford@Aug 25 2004, 07:09 PM
Hmmm... interesting, but I think medals/number of athletes sent to the games would give a better picture.

what if 80% of the USA athletes are medalling as opposed to 10% of Canadian athletes?

Yes the US has a much higher population base to draw from, but at this level, does that mean that US athletes are inherently better than Canadians? A lot of our athletes receive the same training as they attend the same Univs and compete in the same NCAA events...

Most countries send a very different number of athletes per population. It's not really a fair assessment as one country may send anyone who can get in and one may send only the cream of the crop.

I think the medals/population is a pretty accurate assessment of how well each country is doing. More people = more chance of great athletes.

[calculoso]

If you have to choose the best 2 people out of a group of 100, you'll have a much better chance at getting elite athletes than if you only have a group of 10.

They have a bigger pool of athletes to select from. If their skills are already that much better (due to more availability or whatever), then they'll be that much easier to refine and hone.

[octothorp]

It's interesting how well the former-soviet countries do: Hungary, Belarus, Bulgaria and Romania all fairly solid. Of course, they spent a lot of money on sports infrastructure back in the 70s and 80s, but I can't imagine that they have very big budgets for athletics now.

[BlackArcher101]

How about comparing the number of medals to the dollars spent on the sports programs. It would give a medal/$ number that would show the efficiency of the countries sports training programs. I'd expect the USA's efficiency to be fairly low and Canada's average.

[browna]

I think for a more accurate number, it'd be useful to factor in Winter Olympic medals as well.

The Aussies throw a ton of $$ at specific sports in the summer, as per National Sport plan.... a plan that includes yes govenrment funding, but that includes corporate business to partner up and contribute $$.

Something tells me that hell isn't raised in Sydney when the Winter Olympics end and the Aussies come back with 2 medals at the end of Salt Lake.

We put decent Winter Teams out there...we finished 4th in medals in SLC 2002, the exact position Aussie is 4th in standings now in the Summer Games, and average Summer teams. Austrailia puts all their eggs in one basket with the Summer games.

[Table 5]

Originally posted by octothorp@Aug 25 2004, 09:20 PM
It's interesting how well the former-soviet countries do: Hungary, Belarus, Bulgaria and Romania all fairly solid.

Please dont call Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania "Soviet" countries. That would be like calling Canada "American".

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally posted by Table 5+Aug 26 2004, 04:06 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Table 5 @ Aug 26 2004, 04:06 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-octothorp@Aug 25 2004, 09:20 PM
It's interesting how well the former-soviet countries do: Hungary, Belarus, Bulgaria and Romania all fairly solid.

Please dont call Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania "Soviet" countries. That would be like calling Canada "American". [/b][/quote]
He said former Soviet.

I guess the correct term would be former soviet client states, or former warsaw pact nations

[octothorp]

Originally posted by Table 5+Aug 26 2004, 09:06 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Table 5 @ Aug 26 2004, 09:06 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-octothorp@Aug 25 2004, 09:20 PM
It's interesting how well the former-soviet countries do: Hungary, Belarus, Bulgaria and Romania all fairly solid.

Please dont call Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania "Soviet" countries. That would be like calling Canada "American". [/b][/quote]
Well, given that the word 'soviet' is a slavic word for the ruling council in a communist country, I don't think it's an incorrect word. If I had said 'Soviet', then yes, it would be a reference to the USSR and would be inaccurate. Granted, Romania isn't part of the slavic language group, but I believe that both Hungary and Bulgaria had variations on the word 'soviet' to describe their government council, and Romania had that same governmental structure, even if by a different name. But point taken, next time I'll use 'warsaw pact' countries.

[Table 5]

sorry, i didnt want to sound like an ass, its just that its quite offensive ( and inacurate ) to a lot of people from those countries ( including myself ) to be called Soviet. Remember, most of the countries didnt choose to be communist, they were forced by the Russians....therefore there is a lot of resentment.

Btw, Hungary is not slavic at all....its language is pretty exclusive in every way, and has much more in common with Finish than it does with the slavic countries.

Speaking of Hungary, its very interesting to see how they do so well in watersports....especially when you consider it a land-locked nation. Kind of makes those excuses we hear about Canada being a winter country kind of lame, doesnt it?

[octothorp]

Originally posted by Table 5@Aug 26 2004, 09:37 AM
sorry, i didnt want to sound like an ass, its just that its quite offensive ( and inacurate ) to a lot of people from those countries ( including myself ) to be called Soviet. Remember, most of the countries didnt choose to be communist, they were forced by the Russians....therefore there is a lot of resentment.

Btw, Hungary is not slavic at all....its language is pretty exclusive in every way, and has much more in common with Finish than it does with the slavic countries.

Speaking of Hungary, its very interesting to see how they do so well in watersports....especially when you consider it a land-locked nation. Kind of makes those excuses we hear about Canada being a winter country kind of lame, doesnt it?

Okay, fair enough. Sorry if I offended you. The point I was trying to make is that the communist governments in eastern europe put a lot of money and focus into athletic performance (often at the expense of the overall quality of life), because it was a excellent form of propaganda. Now that these countries have emerged into democracies, they still have generally good facilities, some very experienced former athletes who are now good coaches, and a national attitude that still takes a lot of pride in their athletic tradition.

[Coolsurfer79]

Originally posted by Table 5@Aug 26 2004, 09:37 AM
sorry, i didnt want to sound like an ass, its just that its quite offensive ( and inacurate ) to a lot of people from those countries ( including myself ) to be called Soviet. Remember, most of the countries didnt choose to be communist, they were forced by the Russians....therefore there is a lot of resentment.

Btw, Hungary is not slavic at all....its language is pretty exclusive in every way, and has much more in common with Finish than it does with the slavic countries.

Speaking of Hungary, its very interesting to see how they do so well in watersports....especially when you consider it a land-locked nation. Kind of makes those excuses we hear about Canada being a winter country kind of lame, doesnt it?

Well I don't know what country you are from but it is definately not Hungary
Some of your view about Hungary are a little off. While Hungary is land locked it does contain Europes largest lake outside of Scandinavia. Lake Balaton is a popular european resort attracting people from all over. It's a strange lake that you can almost walk half way in on one side and still touch the bottom. The more likely reason for Hungary's success can be linked to Budapest. Budapest contains a large amount of naturally produced hot water so the city is filled with thermal baths and swimming pools. i was in Budapest last week and these numbered over 20(I'm in Rome now). I actually spent a day at one of the swimming pools which cost me a mere 5 dollars canadian. It wasn't like most canadian pools I have seen where people spend most of their time wading. They had an Olympic size pool for swimming laps and a smaller one where children could do the same. The water was also a very nice temperature for an outdoor pool. they myst have been heated with the thermal water. Just thought I would give you a little education, and maybe some tips for future travel.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally posted by BlackArcher101@Aug 25 2004, 10:47 PM
How about comparing the number of medals to the dollars spent on the sports programs. It would give a medal/$ number that would show the efficiency of the countries sports training programs. I'd expect the USA's efficiency to be fairly low and Canada's average.

The US government spends next to nothing on amateur sports. Most of the athletes in the traditional Olympic mold of competition foot their own bill for training.

Nice try though.

[troutman]

Actually I think private sponsors and charitable donations cover most US athlete expenses.