The final results are in: the United States came out on top with a total of 110 medals, China followed with 100, then Russia with 72. But wait a minute, is that a fair assessment of those countries' Olympic standings? After all with a population of 1.3 billion people shouldn't China come out at or near the top? And what about Cuba? With a population of only 11 million Cuba won a total of 24 medals.
So to be fair let's re-calculate the top 15 countries in order of the number of medals won per one million population. Here are the standings in rank order:
1. Australia 2.29 medals per million population
2. Cuba 2.12
3. Belarus 1.94
4. U.K. .77
5. France .65
6. South Korea .65
7. Ukraine .57
8. Canada .56
9. Russia .51
10. Germany .50
11. Italy .47
12. Spain .42
13. United States .36
14. Japan .20
15. China .08
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Comments: 10
How about calculating that in terms of dollars in GNP to athletes? Since a lot of money goes into the making of an Olympics medalist, this should be a fairly accurate and fair basis.
Or perhaps we should amalgamate a groups of criteria. The fact that certain countries have little opportunity for young people to participate in certain sports could be significant. Wealthy countries utilize the best of trainers using computerized analysis of the participant's efforts to insure maximum capability.
My thoughts on Jamaica's wins? Sometimes its just a matter of determination and pride. But then, thats just me and my idealism again, Thomas.
also how much does a government back up their athletes with funding ect plays a big role as well in the equation.