Best sporting Nations adjusted for population

Deleted member 3771 · Aug 21, 2008

This is a list of the best sporting Nations relative to their populations based on the total medal count adjusted for population size and based on the currentOlympic Medal Tally of the top 14 nations

The numbers just show the Total # of medals each of the top 14 nations would have relative to eachother if they had the same population. Chinas population was used as the reference because it has the biggest population and highest medal count, and each country's count shows the medals they have relative to china adjusted for population size.

Pretty interesting. If all the countries had the same population these would be the Olympic rankings.

Top 14 nations - TOTAL Medal tally relative to population

1 Jamaica 4279
2 Australia 2523
3 Netherlands 1197
4 Great Britain 868
5 South korea 702
6 France 662
7 Ukraine 542
8 Russia 484
9 Italy 499
10 Germany 496
11 USa 436
12 Spain 360
13 Japan 250
14 China 83

Top 14 Nations GOLD medals tally relative to population

1 Jamaica 2738
2 Australia 712
3 Netherlands 479
4 Great Britain 368
5 South Korea 270
6 Germany 176
7 Italy 159
8 RUssia 149
9 Ukraine 143
10 United States 132
11 Spain 131
12 France 104
13 japan 94
14 China 46

helloworld · Aug 22, 2008

Population is not an indicator of a country's strength. India has 1 billion people and they have 1 gold medal, the only gold medal ever won by India. If population determines the number of medals won, India should have something close to 40 gold medals by now.

Deleted member 3771 · Aug 22, 2008

I know population isnt an indicator of a countrys OVERALL strength. I didnt say that. But it shows how much more likely you are to find a great sportsperson in 1 country relative to another country

To make a simple analogy, imagine if a country with 100 people had 30 medalists, and the USA had 60 medalists. It simple means that in the country with 100 people,its much easier to come across a great sportsperson, so the average person in the country with 100 people is much more likely to be great at an Olympic sport compared to the average person in the USA.

You can divide the number of the top countries by the lower countries to see how much better they are at olympic sports for their population.

You can get some good information. For example Australia 2523/USa 436 = 5.8 . so the Average Australian is about 6 times more likely to excel at Olympic sports compared to the average American. And the average Jamaican is 51.6 times more likely to excel at an Olympic sport compared to the average Chinese.

Australia 2523/USa 436 = 5.8
Australia 2523/ China 83 = 30.4
Jamaica 4279/ USa 436 = 9.8
Jamaica 4279/ China 83 = 51.6

helloworld said:
Population is not an indicator of a country's strength. India has 1 billion people and they have 1 gold medal, the only gold medal ever won by India. If population determines the number of medals won, India should have something close to 40 gold medals by now.

Deleted member 3771 · Aug 22, 2008

china is only 1.17 X the population of India. India has 3 total medals so far so they'd have about 4 (3.51) medals if they had the population of China.

helloworld said:
Population is not an indicator of a country's strength. India has 1 billion people and they have 1 gold medal, the only gold medal ever won by India. If population determines the number of medals won, India should have something close to 40 gold medals by now.

BreakPoint · Aug 22, 2008

TheNatural said:
china is only 1.17 X the population of India. India has 3 total medals so far so they'd have about 4 (3.51) medals if they had the population of China.

Yet China already has 83 medals. Big difference between 4 and 83.

Deleted member 3771 · Aug 22, 2008

I think playing cricket and watching cricket watching are the #1 and #2 sports in India. Mabe they shoudl diversify a bit like China does.

If Jamaica and Australia had the population of China , they would have to invent some new sports, because Jamiaca and Australia would have 4279 and 2523 medals repectively

BreakPoint said:
Yet China already has 83 medals. Big difference between 4 and 83.

pennc94 · Aug 22, 2008

This is an interesting thread.

I too dislike medal totals.

I have always wanted to devise a medal index. I would not base it on the country's population. It would be an index based on medal opportunities.

Each athlete has X number of medal opportunities entering the games. A gold in each medal opportunity would equal 1, a silver 0.5, a bronze 0.25, and no medal (whether or not you make a medal match or round is a zero).

The top countries woulkd be determined based on a minimum number of medal opportunities. That way, a country with 1 athlete that wins gold in his 1 opportunity is not the number 1 country with an index of 1.

Anyone have the data for this?

hollywood9826 · Aug 22, 2008

helloworld said:
Population is not an indicator of a country's strength. India has 1 billion people and they have 1 gold medal, the only gold medal ever won by India. If population determines the number of medals won, India should have something close to 40 gold medals by now.

What you mean is the only "individual" Gold medal ever won by India.

India dominated filed Hockey winning 6 golds in a row, then a silver, a gold, 2 bronzes, and in 1980 won the countries last gold medal until this year.

Kevin T · Aug 22, 2008

But how many of Jamaica's medals are outside of track and field? Those numbers really don't mean anything. How about breaking down each sport compared to population? That's your assignment for the weekend.

stanfordtennis alum · Aug 22, 2008

great post and thanks for the informative info

malakas · Aug 22, 2008

I think,that's the right way to see medal totals.In Athens the top team in analogy with population was Cuba.

Feña14 · Aug 22, 2008

Nice!

I'm relatively pleased with 4th

ScovilleJenkins · Aug 22, 2008

wow they sure do need alot more events to be able to give out that many medals!

Steady Eddy · Aug 22, 2008

Interesting. But I'm surprised Canada isn't on there. They win medals, and their population is about as small as Australia's.

LuckyR · Aug 22, 2008

helloworld said:
Population is not an indicator of a country's strength. India has 1 billion people and they have 1 gold medal, the only gold medal ever won by India. If population determines the number of medals won, India should have something close to 40 gold medals by now.

So true. Another method would be to divide the medals by the number of World Class trainers/coaches in the country, since a talented guy with zero training = a ditch digger.

tangerine · Aug 22, 2008

You can get some good information. For example Australia 2523/USa 436 = 5.8 . so the Average Australian is about 6 times more likely to excel at Olympic sports compared to the average American.

Summer or Winter olympics or both? Because if you factor in both Olympics you'll find that the Aussies don't do much in the wintertime.

I have always wanted to devise a medal index. I would not base it on the country's population. It would be an index based on medal opportunities.

I'd like to see a medal count of all the athletes who live and train in the USA but represent another country.

JamaicanYoute · Aug 22, 2008

TheNatural said:
If Jamaica and Australia had the population of China , they would have to invent some new sports, because Jamiaca and Australia would have 4279 and 2523 medals repectively

But how many of Jamaica's medals are outside of track and field? Those numbers really don't mean anything. How about breaking down each sport compared to population?

The problem we have in JA is that we have a lot of talented athletes, but don't have anywhere near the type of coaching available that they have here in the US. Proper coaching leads to more than good technique. It leads to proper discipline. Down there, we need both.

I live in Miami and go back home to JA quite a bit, and every time I do I realize the same thing. Our coaches/facilities down there only take you so far. There isn't really anyone taking Tennis to the next level. We have some amazing athletes but no coaching. The best example is that some of the runners in the olympics representing JA right now train on a run down track w/ grass...

Hopefully things get better and we start seeing some of our athletes in other sports.

ollinger · Aug 22, 2008

Over the years it's clearly Australia. Jamaica had a good Olympics this year, albeit essentially in one event, whereas in Olympics past Australia is typically about fourth in total medals with something like 20 million people (I think they were fifth this year). I've never met a young Aussie who didn't play some kind of sport, but I sure know a lot of Jamaicans who, well, don't seem like they're in much of a hurry.

helloworld · Aug 22, 2008

TheNatural said:
I think playing cricket and watching cricket watching are the #1 and #2 sports in India. Mabe they shoudl diversify a bit like China does.

If Jamaica and Australia had the population of China , they would have to invent some new sports, because Jamiaca and Australia would have 4279 and 2523 medals repectively

I don't see Jamaica or Australia dominating in Table Tennis, Diving, Gymnastics, Weightlifting, etc, no matter how much population they have. There are certain sports that certain countries excel.

counter_puncher · Aug 22, 2008

hahaha! JAMAICA playing table tennis? jamaica doing synchro swimming? jamaica doing diving? jamaica doing gymnastics? jamaica doing weightlifting? jamaica doing badminton? jamaica playing tennis? lol.

usain bolt doing synchronised swimming.

Feña14 · Aug 22, 2008

counter_puncher said:
hahaha! JAMAICA playing table tennis? jamaica doing synchro swimming? jamaica doing diving? jamaica doing gymnastics? jamaica doing weightlifting? jamaica doing badminton? jamaica playing tennis? lol.

usain bolt doing synchronised swimming.

lol! Whatever next? A Jamaican bobsleigh team?

JamaicanYoute · Aug 22, 2008

counter_puncher said:
hahaha! JAMAICA playing table tennis? jamaica doing synchro swimming? jamaica doing diving? jamaica doing gymnastics? jamaica doing weightlifting? jamaica doing badminton? jamaica playing tennis? lol.

usain bolt doing synchronised swimming.

lol! Whatever next? A Jamaican bobsleigh team?

I really don't understand these posts. I mean, are you that bored with your time that you feel the need to post negative remarks about something that you're probably totally ignorant on? JA doesn't really do gymnastics or weightlifting, but the other sports you mentioned (and others you didnt) Jamaica isn't horrible at. We may not be as huge as other countries, but we still have great athletes. Like I said before, hopefully one day we get the coaches/facilities that we need to properly compete.

If I were as much an idiot as you, I guess I could ask how come a place like Jamaica continues to kick other HUGE countries asses in anything at all?

Feña14 · Aug 22, 2008

JamaicanYoute said:
I really don't understand these posts. I mean, are you that bored with your time that you feel the need to post negative remarks about something that you're probably totally ignorant on? JA doesn't really do gymnastics or weightlifting, but the other sports you mentioned (and others you didnt) Jamaica isn't horrible at. We may not be as huge as other countries, but we still have great athletes. Like I said before, hopefully one day we get the coaches/facilities that we need to properly compete.

If I were as much an idiot as you, I guess I could ask how come a place like Jamaica continues to kick other HUGE countries asses in anything at all?

Well I don't think Jamaica will be winning many golds at the sense of humour Olympics :neutral:

I'm sure you know, Cool Runnings was a film about the Jamaican bobsleigh team.. It's a film! Based on a true story I believe.

Get off your high horse.

JamaicanYoute · Aug 23, 2008

Feña14 said:
Well I don't think Jamaica will be winning many golds at the sense of humour Olympics :neutral:

I'm sure you know, Cool Runnings was a film about the Jamaican bobsleigh team.. It's a film! Based on a true story I believe.

Get off your high horse.

I don't believe having 'fun' or 'humour' at someone else's expense qualifies as having a 'great sense of humour'.

And because of the fact that there WAS a JA bobsled team makes it NOT funny. You're trying to continue making a joke when in fact it did happen. You're that guy in the movie that makes a joke and everyone gets quiet bc it did happen.

Off my high horse? I'm the one saying I wish we had good coaches/facilities so that we could compete with the rest of the world. You're an idiot.

Phil · Aug 23, 2008

Population is not an ideal way to measure a country's athletic prowess. Instead, one has to measure dollars and resources poured into national sports programs. Countries such as Cuba and China heavily subsidize (i.e. totally support) their respective Olympic programs.

The reason countries like Cuba and Bulgaria have done so well relative to their populations, is that they allocate tremendous amounts of resources to their athletic programs (certainly in comparison to per capita income). China too, spends BILLIONS to bring home the gold. Communist countries equate winning Olympic medals with national prestige and they use it to compare their "systems" to those of the west.

So, how about using dollars spent per athlete and compare that number to per capita income? BTW, the US and a number of other countries, receive absolutely no government funding for their Olympic programs.

helloworld · Aug 23, 2008

Phil said:
Population is not an ideal way to measure a country's athletic prowess. Instead, one has to measure dollars and resources poured into national sports programs. Countries such as Cuba and China heavily subsidize (i.e. totally support) their respective Olympic programs.

The reason countries like Cuba and Bulgaria have done so well relative to their populations, is that they allocate tremendous amounts of resources to their athletic programs (certainly in comparison to per capita income). China too, spends BILLIONS to bring home the gold. Communist countries equate winning Olympic medals with national prestige and they use it to compare their "systems" to those of the west.

So, how about using dollars spent per athlete and compare that number to per capita income? BTW, the US and a number of other countries, receive absolutely no government funding for their Olympic programs.

The thing is the Olympics is a western tradition, and the last time I check, China isn't even a western country. Let's face it. China is beating us in our own games. If they can beat Western countries in the Olympics, I have no doubt that they are capable of doing much more.

Phil · Aug 23, 2008

helloworld said:
The thing is the Olympics is a western tradition, and the last time I check, China isn't a western country either. Let's face it. China is beating us in our own games. If they can beat Western countries in the Olympics, I have not doubt that they are capable of doing much more.

This is way too simplistic. First of all, the Olympics is an international event. Both Eastern and Western countries have been competing in it since right around the time it was revivived in 1896. That China chose not to participate for years due to the Chicomm's reisistance to the games, is irrelevant.

I don't equate the Olympics to "our own games". Again, too simplistic. If ANY country spent $20 billion dollars to board its athletic children from age 4 or so and ruthlessly train them, it would win a lot of medals. Other countries have far greater priorities than ping pong and women's diving and therefore are not so obsessed with "proving something" to the the rest of the world. The fact that the USA wins the most overall medals and yet, doesn't spend a cent from government coffers for its Olympic program, says a lot more to me about being on top of the game. Same with Australia, England, etc. Once upon a time, a fascist/"socialist" country and its satellites absolutely CLEANED UP at the Olympics...and yet, that country became a broken down wreck and only proved what a fascist/socialist country it really is. Any prestige or respect that it earned did not come from women's weightlifting gold medals.

helloworld · Aug 23, 2008

Phil said:
This is way too simplistic. First of all, the Olympics is an international event. Both Eastern and Western countries have been competing in it since right around the time it was revivived in 1896. That China chose not to participate for years due to the Chicomm's reisistance to the games, is irrelevant.

I don't equate the Olympics to "our own games". Again, too simplistic. If ANY country spent $20 billion dollars to board its athletic children from age 4 or so and ruthlessly train them, it would win a lot of medals. Other countries have far greater priorities than ping pong and women's diving and therefore are not so obsessed with "proving something" to the the rest of the world. The fact that the USA wins the most overall medals and yet, doesn't spend a cent from government coffers for its Olympic program, says a lot more to me about being on top of the game. Same with Australia, England, etc. Once upon a time, a fascist/"socialist" country and its satellites absolutely CLEANED UP at the Olympics...and yet, that country became a broken down wreck and only proved what a fascist/socialist country it really is. Any prestige or respect that it earned did not come from women's weightlifting gold medals.

You can't be serious about government not funding the Olympics athletes. The US practically spend the most on finding and training athlete. Why not. They are the richest country on earth and a few billion dollars wouldn't matter much anyway. I can sense that you have this hatred toward Communism or Socialism, so you will come up with arguments that probably wouldn't make much sense anyway, but the truth is any country, whether it is Democratic or Communism that wishes to do well in the Olympics, need tremendous financial support to provide proper training and facilities to its own athletes.

Phil · Aug 23, 2008

helloworld said:
You can't be serious about government not funding the Olympics athletes. The US practically spend the most on finding and training athlete. Why not. They are the richest country on earth and a few billion dollars wouldn't matter much anyway. I can sense that you have this hatred toward Communism or Socialism, so you will come up with arguments that probably wouldn't make much sense anyway, but the truth is any country, whether it is Democratic or Communism that wishes to do well in the Olympics, need tremendous financial support to provide proper training and facilities to its own athletes.

The US doesn't spend a dime. Not the government. It's all funded through private and corporate donations. Look it up if you don't believe me (but I guarantee that I'm right). That does not mean that the US Olympic team is exactly hurting. Corporate donations/sponsorships add up. But it doesn't compare to China's $20 billion, or the efforts that Russia/Romania/Bulgaria/E. Germany, etc., went to in fielding top teams.

My point is that if you LOOK at what the Communist countries have become, for better or worse, the Olympics has very little to do with it. I guess it helps a people's self-esteem, but it's a very shallow way to bolster self esteem and it certainly doesn't generate much respect outside those countries. No one is fooled.

Communism has murdered tens of millions of people and continues to crush people, but...hey, why would I hate such loving regimes?

malakas · Aug 23, 2008

what's the difference between women weightlifting gold medal and gold in womens' sailing or womens' basketball and women's soccer?:roll:

Phil · Aug 23, 2008

malakas said:
what's the difference between women weightlifting gold medal and gold in womens' sailing or womens' basketball and women's soccer?:roll:

I dunno...maybe the fact that three of those are athletic competitions, and the fourth event, outside of the Olympics, is only done by people with hyphenated names, with large trust accounts and armies of servants, and who actually consume margheritas and gin and tonics while engaging in this "sport".

malakas · Aug 23, 2008

Phil said:
I dunno...maybe the fact that three of those are athletic competitions, and the fourth event, outside of the Olympics, is only done by people with hyphenated names, with large trust accounts and armies of servants, and who actually consume margheritas and gin and tonics while engaging in this "sport".

there is actually a world and regional (i.e european) championships in weightlifting.The fact that this sports are less.."prestigious" is to me,even more honourable for these athletes,most of them don't get the recognition they deserve for years of training,but only in a couple of competition.

Phil · Aug 23, 2008

malakas said:
there is actually a world and regional (i.e european) championships in weightlifting.The fact that this sports are less.."prestigious" is to me,even more honourable for these athletes,most of them don't get the recognition they deserve for years of training,but only in a couple of competition.

I don't know from those-I don't follow the European championships of women's (or men's) weightlifting, I do strongly believe that there is no way that SAILING should be an Olympic...uhm..."sport".

Hey, if these athletes were so worried about recognition, they should have taken up a sport like tennis or golf. But you use what you're given and if your talent lies in lifting heavy weights, that's what you do. I don't think many people in weightlifting are complaining about lack of recognition. They probably have some sense that theirs is not exactly the most interesting or dynamic sport.

malakas · Aug 23, 2008

Phil said:
I don't know from those-I don't follow the European championships of women's (or men's) weightlifting, I do strongly believe that there is no way that SAILING should be an Olympic...uhm..."sport".

Hey, if these athletes were so worried about recognition, they should have taken up a sport like tennis or golf. But you use what you're given and if your talent lies in lifting heavy weights, that's what you do. I don't think many people in weightlifting are complaining about lack of recognition. They probably have some sense that theirs is not exactly the most interesting or dynamic sport.

They do what they love,in spite of the lack of recognition or funds etc Yes they understand they are not going to become famous,or win big money..But what is the so big difference in watching a woman kick a football hard and fast,and a woman lifting 3x her body weight? For me they are equally amazing,worth of praise and incredible.And the Olympic medals these women won,are of the same value.

Phil · Aug 23, 2008

malakas said:
They do what they love,in spite of the lack of recognition or funds etc Yes they understand they are not going to become famous,or win big money..But what is the so big difference in watching a woman kick a football hard and fast,and a woman lifting 3x her body weight? For me they are equally amazing,worth of praise and incredible.And the Olympic medals these women won,are of the same value.

You're not really thinking these comments through.

There is obviously a big difference between soccer and weightlifting. Not all sports are all the same. What is the difference between sailing and skeet shooting....well the only similarity is that both are so-called Olympic sports, but as events or sports or whatever you wish to call them, they are vastly different. Even If you happen to like weightlifting (and I don't care for it), it is certainly not anything like soccer.

And while it may be "amazing" to watch someone lift 3x their body weight, and all Olympians are great athletes, blah, blah, it certainly isn't very exciting or interesting to me, just as ping pong and trampoline are ridiculous.

malakas · Aug 23, 2008

Phil said:
You're not really thinking these comments through.

There is obviously a big difference between soccer and weightlifting. Not all sports are all the same. What is the difference between sailing and skeet shooting....well the only similarity is that both are so-called Olympic sports, but as events or sports or whatever you wish to call them, they are vastly different. Even If you happen to like weightlifting (and I don't care for it), it is certainly not anything like soccer.

And while it may be "amazing" to watch someone lift 3x their body weight, and all Olympians are great athletes, blah, blah, it certainly isn't very exciting or interesting to me, just as ping pong and trampoline are ridiculous.

Understandable and that's your personal opinion.But don't make your personal opinion appear as a generally accepted concensus.That's my only objection.

I find baseball extremely boring bordering ridiculous.I don't go on saying winning gold in baseball obviously doesn't hold a candle in winning a gold in sychronised swimming ( which I love watching.)

Anyway,I'm very sorry that the Olympics end tomorrow.

[edit btw,olympic football,is one of the least prestigious tournaments in the football world.Hardly any football fan (at least) in Europe ever watches it.And how could it be different when it has got the WC,and CL to be compared to?]

random guy · Aug 23, 2008

Numbers doesn't mean anything. Popular culture and state or private inversion is what makes one nation strong in one sport or several. Argentina for instance just won his second medal in football (soccer) and USA win most of the basketball medals since they started playing with NBA players. What does population has to do with that?

random guy · Aug 23, 2008

Phil said:
Communism has murdered tens of millions of people and continues to crush people, but...hey, why would I hate such loving regimes?

I agree with you on that. Hope that you got the same outlook on America's contribution to the bodycount in the name of "democracy".

movdqa · Aug 23, 2008

"I'd like to see a medal count of all the athletes who live and train in the USA but represent another country."

Me too. The US has some very fine athletic facilities at universities around the country. And very fine sports teams.

Feña14 · Aug 23, 2008

JamaicanYoute said:
I don't believe having 'fun' or 'humour' at someone else's expense qualifies as having a 'great sense of humour'.

And because of the fact that there WAS a JA bobsled team makes it NOT funny. You're trying to continue making a joke when in fact it did happen. You're that guy in the movie that makes a joke and everyone gets quiet bc it did happen.

Off my high horse? I'm the one saying I wish we had good coaches/facilities so that we could compete with the rest of the world. You're an idiot.

You are acutally talking rubbish.

I'm feeling quite embarrassed for you actually. I'm the idiot when you are crying over your lack of coaching and facilities? Get over yourself. Nobody likes to see someone feeling sorry for themselves.

chess9 · Aug 23, 2008

Jamaica is a statistical outlier, principally because they have one Lightning Bolt.

-Robert

Deleted member 3771 · Aug 23, 2008

Australia came 3rd in the world in diving these olympics. so If they had China's population, they would dominate China in Diving. They'd have about 130 medals to china's 11 medals in diving if they had the same population as China. :shock:

helloworld said:
I don't see Jamaica or Australia dominating in Table Tennis, Diving, Gymnastics, Weightlifting, etc, no matter how much population they have. There are certain sports that certain countries excel.

Deleted member 3771 · Aug 23, 2008

I dont think theres many from other countries at all that medalled that train and live in the USA except mabe some NBA players that have to live their to play for their team.

You could always check all the events and medal winners and google their names to find out where they live and train and then make a list for us. Out of the 931 medals won so far can you come up with many that train and live in the USA?

movdqa said:
"I'd like to see a medal count of all the athletes who live and train in the USA but represent another country."

Me too. The US has some very fine athletic facilities at universities around the country. And very fine sports teams.

movdqa · Aug 24, 2008

How about Cavac?

chess9 · Aug 24, 2008

TheNatural said:
I dont think theres many from other countries at all that medalled that train and live in the USA except mabe some NBA players that have to live their to play for their team.

You could always check all the events and medal winners and google their names to find out where they live and train and then make a list for us. Out of the 931 medals won so far can you come up with many that train and live in the USA?

A lot of swimmers and track and field athletes train in the USA.

-Robert

Deleted member 3771 · Aug 24, 2008

Its actually extremely rare for any of the top athletics and swimming medalists from the top nations to reside in the USA.

For example out of about 60 medalists from the top athletics nations like kenya, ethiopia, jamaica, RUssia, Ukraine, Belarus etc etc mabe none reside in the USA,there could be 1 or 2 or something at most. I found 1 Brittish hurdler that did. Its a rarity in swimming too. None of the Australians or swimmers from some of the next top swimming nations reside in the USa

However in the nations where theres just 1 world class swimmer or athlete in the entire country they need to join a good athletics/swimming program so more would reside somewhere like the USA. Eg Zimbabwe, Brazil, serbia's only swimming medalists reside in the USa.

chess9 said:
A lot of swimmers and track and field athletes train in the USA.

-Robert

chess9 · Aug 24, 2008

TheNatural said:
Its actually extremely rare for any of the top athletics and swimming medalists from the top nations to reside in the USA.

For example out of about 60 medalists from the top athletics nations like kenya, ethiopia, jamaica, RUssia, Ukraine, Belarus etc etc mabe none reside in the USA,there could be 1 or 2 or something at most. I found 1 Brittish hurdler that did. Its a rarity in swimming too. None of the Australians or swimmers from some of the next top swimming nations reside in the USa

However in the nations where theres just 1 world class swimmer or athlete in the entire country they need to join a good athletics/swimming program so more would reside somewhere like the USA. Eg Zimbabwe, Brazil, serbia's only swimming medalists reside in the USa.

Not true. Many swam or ran for USA colleges. Also, Spain's top basketball player plays for the NBA.

-Robert

CyBorg · Aug 24, 2008

TheNatural said:
Australia came 3rd in the world in diving these olympics. so If they had China's population, they would dominate China in Diving. They'd have about 130 medals to china's 11 medals in diving if they had the same population as China. :shock:

No offense, but you're not very bright.

power_play21 · Aug 24, 2008

this whole population thing is bogus. look at india. no money to fund all these athletes, programs, so they get no good athletes. now if i were to open up a 1000 person nation but train every person highly in different sports, i'd have more gold medals than most 200+million people nation. its about the society/culture and athletic programs available.

Phil · Aug 24, 2008

malakas said:
Understandable and that's your personal opinion.But don't make your personal opinion appear as a generally accepted concensus.That's my only objection.

I find baseball extremely boring bordering ridiculous.I don't go on saying winning gold in baseball obviously doesn't hold a candle in winning a gold in sychronised swimming ( which I love watching.)

Anyway,I'm very sorry that the Olympics end tomorrow.

[edit btw,olympic football,is one of the least prestigious tournaments in the football world.Hardly any football fan (at least) in Europe ever watches it.And how could it be different when it has got the WC,and CL to be compared to?]

You still don't understand what I'm talking about. And who here is talking about baseball? Where did that come from?

Anyway, synchronized swimming is not a "sport" and should not be part of the Olympics. My opinion on soccer/football seems to be shared by a "concensus" of viewers...most would prefer to watch that over weightlifting! Believe me.

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