Olympic medals

[golddog]

In the U.S., the media always reports the 'medal count' by country and acts as if that in and of itself is some kind of competition.

While I'm sure that some fans and people in the countries' Olympic bureaucracy care, I wonder if the athletes see themselves on "Team USA", or if they focus on their events and that's it.

Anyway, a question for our out-of-US members: Do the media in other parts of the world report on the Olympics on a country-wide basis like we do?

[crack]

Well, we come under the banner of "Team GB" but I don't think we are really that fussed that the Olympians have won it for GB and tend to focus on the individuals. That;s prolly because we are shit and have no chance at being one of the top 2 countries in the overall medal table.

[Dave B]

IMO, it is pointless unless you are only allowed to compete for a country where you are a citizen. Oh, my parents are from Germany, so I will compete for them, even though I have never been there.

I am also pissed off about how Michael Phelps is now the greatest Olympian ever, maybe, but probably not. How all the great champions who only compete in one event and dominate? How about someone that wins the decathalon, they do more than swim different strokes or relay in duplicate events, no?

Leave China alone for using a stand in for the singing. How is that even a story? Are there any body doubles in Hollywood or lip syncers touring the world? It isnt like she was tarnishing a medal event.

Quit whining about 12 year old gymnasts. If a 12 year old can beat you, then shut up, you dont deserve a medal. I dont care if they broke the rules. You should be complaining about arbitrary scoring systems that trade favors, not a 12 year old kicking your ass.

Now a shooter, an f*ing shooter is stripped for doping? Come on, if you cant shoot a gun clean then you need mental help.



I still enjoy watching some of it, but I dont enjoy it nearly as much as I did years ago. It was much better when people competed for the joy of competition and there was no hope of million dollar endorsements.

[xDiamond_CutteRx]

Quit whining about 12 year old gymnasts.

The main reason this is hypocritical by anyone in the US is that most of our clothing is made by Chinese girls of similar age, but somehow people turn a blind eye to that and start whining about how China is exploiting their poor athletes. I guarantee you the alleged 12 year old gymnasts have a much better life than the young girls who work in the factories for US multinationals under the watch of the Chinese government.

I still enjoy watching some of it, but I dont enjoy it nearly as much as I did years ago. It was much better when people competed for the joy of competition and there was no hope of million dollar endorsements.

The entire Olympics is now basically a forum for companies to put labels on everything. It's one more reason the Olympics is stupid.

[Ensano]

the Olympics is stupid.

thought I was going to be a grammar nazi there but... then i realized..

[Jernej Zorec]

the who wins more medals stuff is just media more or less
same question was on tv on start of the games, and i agree with one of our athletes said,
u dont go to olympics to have your country win medals, u go to
win one yourself.

[supafrey]

Canada reports it by nation, but we haven't really won many. Olympic reporting puts me on life tilt.

[UrAteUp]

I have watched alot of the olympics this year. I even watched and started appreciating soccer (football to you folks accross the pond).

I am rooting for the hometown hero for WDM, IA...little Shawn Johnson...which has been the main concentration of the local news around here. I think Iowa has a right to be proud of her. Pretty oustanding athlete for being so young. They even went as far as making a butter sculpture of her for the Iowa State Fair...

Lolo Jones is another Iowa girl. She should do well in her events.

I am also pissed off about how Michael Phelps is now the greatest Olympian ever, maybe, but probably not. How all the great champions who only compete in one event and dominate? How about someone that wins the decathalon, they do more than swim different strokes or relay in duplicate events, no?

The people saying he is the greatest olympian ever just need to rephraise that...he is the greatest gold metalist for swimming ever. Mark SPitz made some pretty stupid comments toward Phelps. I personally think what the guy did was amazing. Would I call him the greatest ever?...probably not.

Now a shooter, an f*ing shooter is stripped for doping? Come on, if you cant shoot a gun clean then you need mental help.

Shit the should check out any major city in the US for doped shooters... .

That;s prolly because we are shit and have no chance at being one of the top 2 countries in the overall medal table.

The great thing about the olympics isn't how many medals your country wins but it is about being there and being amoung the best in the world. It is also about peace and harmony amoung all nations. Which is something I think we would all love to see. No more war!!!

The entire Olympics is now basically a forum for companies to put labels on everything. It's one more reason the Olympics is stupid.

This is something we are going to have to watch out for in the major poker tournaments as well. What happened to the good ole days when you had one or two sponsors and that was it. Now at any sporting event you see company names and logos plastered all over the place.