Who Takes the Cake in Total Medal Count

Post #1 » by **The Duke** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 6:44 pm

Olympics around the corner... Who you got?

Post #2 » by **Slava** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 9:31 am

USA/China/Australia in that order for me. Australia could always move further and Russia could move in as well.

hermes · Post #3 » by **hermes** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 9:53 pm

US, they are going to dominate swimming

Post #4 » by **j127** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 10:40 pm

Total medal count? Maybe USA. But I wouldn't be surprised if China beat the US in this. "Home court" and all.

But total gold medal count? Probably China.

Post #5 » by **TheGlyde** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 12:28 am

Hmm, I'm an Aussie and I wasn't expecting to see us in the poll... I don't think we will be top 4 on the tally.

The European countries like Germany and Spain are always up there...

Post #6 » by **The Duke** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 1:32 am

I selected China this time around, it will be a grind for them to be on top, but i can realistically see them being strong in events that Chinese tradititonally arnt strong.

They should be able to take most if not all of the diving medals.... There gynamtics crew will be strong, there badminton/pingpong crew should be strong.

Americans will come out strong in the pool tho, Phelphs is a ridculus swimmer, along with a solid track showing, along with a solid crew across the board.

Posey H8er · Post #7 » by **Posey H8er** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:22 am

USA/China/Russia

The United States has been first time for a long time, even though I think the gap will be much closer this year. I didn't notice how well the US performed in 2004 compared to 2000. Actually it seems the competition wasn't as strong. It didn't feel that way at the time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Summe ... edal_count
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_Summe ... edal_count

El Turco · Post #8 » by **El Turco** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 10:07 pm

Gotta go with U.S but as mentioned before China might take the gold medal count.

it is quite interesting see Cuba in top 10 consistently considering their size.

Post #9 » by **DelaneyRudd** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 3:44 am

Countries like Australia benefit from dominating in an area with a lot of medals. I think the list will look like 2004 with China getting more Golds than the US.

Post #10 » by **DelaneyRudd** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 3:48 am

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All-time_O ... edal_count

All time the UK is still 500 medals short of the USSR.

Post #11 » by **BlackMamba** » Tue Aug 5, 2008 1:54 pm

it's going to be an interesting race. china and usa will be neck to neck in both the total count and the gold count.

but i agree, i could see china having the most medals and the usa the most gold medals.

russia or australia could surprise them.

and well, i hope mexico gets some medals, there are 2 that are very realistic (TKD and diving) but could get 2 or 3 more. that sucks, over 100 million in population and we are looking to bring back 2-4!!!!!

Post #12 » by **The Duke** » Tue Aug 5, 2008 4:07 pm

How about countries like India who have the population, but just no olympic program that is worth mentioning. I hear they have an up and coming swimmer tho, we'll see in 4 years.

Post #13 » by **BlackMamba** » Tue Aug 5, 2008 6:39 pm

yeah, the problem is a proper sports program.

Post #14 » by **j127** » Thu Aug 7, 2008 12:12 am

OK, this is a question for everyone.

Which is more important to you? Winning the most gold medals or winning the most overall medals? (If you had to choose one or the other)

I think most golds is more important as a true measure of which country did the best. Most golds proves that your country is the best in the world at more things than any other country, even if it's concentrated in certain sports.

On the other hand, the most overall medals proves that you're a better podium finisher.

(Edit: I think the International Olympic Committee lists the medal winners by whoever wins the most golds)

And how about this -- Which country do you think did better in a hypothetical Olympics:
1) Country A: 1 Bronze medal and 9 10th place finishes.
2) Country B: 10 4th place finishes.

Country A has that one podium finish, but the rest of their athletes did "poorly" (poorly comparatively). Meanwhile, Country B has no medals, but their athletes, as whole, did better than the 9 from Country A.

Posey H8er · Post #15 » by **Posey H8er** » Thu Aug 7, 2008 2:31 am

I think both are equally important in determining which country did the best. The most gold means you have the "best" athletes at a particular event but the most medals mean you have the largest group of strong athletes. Either way the US will get the most medals and they have a good chance of winning the most golds.

hermes · Post #16 » by **hermes** » Thu Aug 7, 2008 3:17 am

i guess more golds would be better, but would i sound too greedy if i wanted the US to lead in both

GQStylin · Post #17 » by **GQStylin** » Thu Aug 7, 2008 3:18 am

I think it will be close, but I think China has a really good shot this time around at winning the most medals. Winning the most gold? Tough to say.

But with 1 billion+ people backing and cheering you on, I think that boost will help some Chinese athletes win where they might not otherwise have.

Post #18 » by **Da Schwab** » Thu Aug 7, 2008 3:25 am

hermes wrote:i guess more golds would be better, but would i sound too greedy if i wanted the US to lead in both

Greedy? Its called national pride! USA! USA! USA! USA!

Really though, I think China will take the cake in medal count this time around.

hermes · Post #19 » by **hermes** » Sat Aug 9, 2008 5:09 pm

http://www.realclearsports.com/charts/m ... unt-3.html

Medal Count

Post #20 » by **5DOM** » Sat Aug 9, 2008 11:15 pm

winning most overall medals IMO is more important.
just finishing in top 3 is a huge achievement.