Medal Table

[manchester_red]

I'm sorry, but this is just pathetic. American news websites have a medal table totally different to everyone else. Their medals tables count total number of medals as the ranking criteria, rather than the internationally accepted method of the number of golds (then silvers in the event of a tie, then bronzes

Comments

[_whee_]

God only loves America! :@

[manchester_red]

Of course.

[_whee_]

Lucky for me, I don't love either.

[manchester_red]

I love Elvis. Does that count?

[magnumpr]

Actually, I feel ashamed that we're lacking in Gold Medals. We should have more! I'm not too pleased with how they have the medals table done here in the states, but in a way, it sorta fits the new American philosophy, low standards is the American Dream! xD

[manchester_red]

See THAT'S what I expect from Americans - 'this isn't good enough so let's try harder' - not a statistical fiddle.

[shakeycat]

It's not just unique to these games, it's how they've always ordered things. A medal's a medal. Lots of medals is even better.

[manchester_red]

Well all medals are valuable but a Bronze is not the same as being Olympic Champion, is it? Otherwise why bother with medals of different colours?

[shakeycat]

It's not, but when you've been coming in fourth place for a week, does Bronze ever look tasty!

[moon_happy]

I don't know if the reporters are to blame or the editors or...who? I remember Olympics of yore when we did have more golds than anyone, so then, when we didn't what could they do but find a way to make the USA look best as always? Silly, isn't it, but we're *that* sure Jesus loves us more than you!

The true embarrassment is, of course, that they think we haven't noticed the change in the tables. 1984 has come and stayed!

[manchester_red]

Yeah, well maybe it was petty of me to bring it up but it kind of niggled me. Seemed to me to run contrary to the Olympic spirit.

[moon_happy]

Yeah, but if you found yourself sitting next to an American in the tube this morning you could happily share a nice comment about Phelps' amazing medals and not also feel driven to complain about the overall American medals table, because you already got it out, here! Lots of things bother me about the Olympics but even combined they don't add up to wishing there were no Olympics.

[manchester_red]

If I met an American today I'd surely talk about the positives. People here know I use my blog to get my rants off my chest. ;-)

[tysolna]

Remember that the US are the only country who, in a sport that they almost exclusively play and where only US teams take part, have the audacity to call it a "World Series".

[manchester_red]

Well there is at least one Canadian team in major erlague baseball (the Toronto Bluejays) but point taken. The winners of the Superbowl are also called World Champions, I think?

Look, I see nothing wrong with crowing about your achievements. I think calling yourself world champs when you;re the only country that plays it is a bit silly but hey-ho. It's not the fix that the American medals table is.