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Why is overall medal count considered more important than gold medal count in the Olympics?

I was listening to the radio today and they were talking about how Canada finished third place in 2010. That pissed me off because Canada was first in gold medals (in fact, we set the record for most gold medals ever won in a Winter Olympics). We won the Olympics yet no one recognizes it, not even our own media.

What is everyone's obsession with celebrating losers in the Olympics? No other sporting competition treats second and third place finishes equal to first.

I completely disagree with your argument and many other countries and the IOC do use gold medals in ranking countries.

I always thought that the overall medal count thing was just an American thing? Pretty sure most other countries go by Golds.

I figure it is a nationalistic pride sort of rah-rah high school thingy - I watch because I never get to see these sports on tv otherwise

The Olympics are IMO about participation first, and winning second. I don't understand the idea about worrying about country ranking--it's cool and all but I just enjoy the spectacle and the fierceness of competition.

I think the USA started that total medal count thing because they never win a lot of golds in the winter games but usually get a lot of silvers and bronzes. So it's a way for the media to say USA is #1. I don't care in the least about that stuff. I just like watching these winter sports and the competition.

C.lupus wrote:I think the USA started that total medal count thing because they never win a lot of golds in the winter games but usually get a lot of silvers and bronzes. So it's a way for the media to say USA is #1. I don't care in the least about that stuff. I just like watching these winter sports and the competition.

So I guess Canada just copied you guys then, like we do for everything else, without realizing that copying you screws us over in this case.

Kaizen wrote:I completely disagree with your argument and many other countries and the IOC do use gold medals in ranking countries.

Just looked into it and you're right. Our media is just stupid.

Most Gold is the true ranking.

The Fairest Way is most Gold -- 1st tie-breaker is Silver -- 2nd tie-breaker is Bronze

mojomarc wrote:The Olympics are IMO about participation first, and winning second. I don't understand the idea about worrying about country ranking--it's cool and all but I just enjoy the spectacle and the fierceness of competition.

So innocent and idealistic.

Up to now, we Germans have 5 medals, namely 4 Gold and 1 Silver. Hard to be more efficient than that

Point forward wrote:Up to now, we Germans have 5 medals, namely 4 Gold and 1 Silver. Hard to be more efficient than that

wunderbar

Point forward wrote:Up to now, we Germans have 5 medals, namely 4 Gold and 1 Silver. Hard to be more efficient than that

Now 5 gold and 1 Silver

According to the ESPN medal rankings, Germany (6G, 1S, 1B = 8, #6) is ranked lower than the U.S. (3G, 1S, 5B = 9, #4). Somehow, I feel strangely happy about this

Germans seem invincible in luge.

Germany grabbing the medal lead for now, German engineering
They are strong in those sliding spots, luge, skelton, bobsleed, doubles, 4 man, mens and women.

Norway is good at those cross country & biathon spots plus there tons of events for mens and womens

Canada is good at short & long speed skating, hockey, curling, freestyle skiing, skating, snowboarding

Austria is good at regular skiing

Dutch us good at long track speed skating

Point forward wrote:According to the ESPN medal rankings, Germany (6G, 1S, 1B = 8, #6) is ranked lower than the U.S. (3G, 1S, 5B = 9, #4). Somehow, I feel strangely happy about this

Total number of medals is more important than number of gold medals.*







This opinion is subject to change depending on future results.

Whiteman wrote:Total number of medals is more important than number of gold medals.*
This opinion is subject to change depending on future results.

As a German soccer fan who is tormented by a never ending run of 2nd or 3rd places... NO.

Germany is running away in the standings.

Raps in 4 wrote:Germany is running away in the standings.

Don't worry, that will change. The 2nd week is dominated by snowboard, short track, figure skating and hockey where German failure is guaranteed. Realistically, we could medal in the bob sled and *some* ski events though.