36 gold-38 silver-36 bronze. 110 total medals for the Americans. The most medals won.
Every Olympics, as the games come to a close and the Americans once again lead the medal count (because as far back as I can remember, we always do), I listen to the chatter -- some of it even in my own house -- about why what the Americans have done is not special. Perhaps the expectations were higher. Some people tout only the gold medals as being important. My husband relies on a per capita formula as being indicative of what's impressive and what's not (translation: Americans are not that impressive). And I find myself wondering why people are so intent on minimizing the collective effort of these American men and women who train hard, excel, and have the hardware to show for it.
It really makes me angry. And it makes me sad. Do you have any idea how many Olympic atheletes live here and train here, regardless of the country they represent? I can't count the number of times when I heard the announcer say here's blah blah from blah blah who attends fill in the blank American university. Let's look at that. Let's look at how many medal winners have availed themselves of our coaches and facilities and universities. Many of them on scholarship. Many of them who wouldn't otherwise get an education in addition to getting to train in the sport that they love.
It's popular to America bash, and for the most part, I don't get it. Don't get me started on the current administration, its policies, and the damage they have done to our reputation internationally. I get that. But this has been going on long before George W. Bush was President.
This could turn into a lengthy diatribe, and I don't want to start a Sunday morning off by getting all riled up about what's really behind people's dislike of Americans. So let's just suffice it to say, GIVE THESE ATHLETES THEIR DUE!!!!
1 comment:
This is Jay - I will say that this year the US team actually did pretty well this year. And since Canada did so poorly on a per capita basis I am dropping this position - for now. That said, if you look at the medal count on a weighted basis - 3 for gold, 2 for silver and 1 for bronze - which is how they should look at it, the US team actually comes 2nd to China by 3 points. Not that I relish in that at all but certainly, with 51 golds, the Chinese team has sent a message that they should not be taken lightly. (Incidently, if and when the per capita arguement works in Canada's favor again, the Chinese are the biggest losers under this evaluation methodology so embrace it).
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