America, like the rest of the world, has traditionally measured the Olympic standings according to the most gold medals attained.
But as they appear increasingly unlikely to win enough gold medals to depose China from the top, America has taken to a different way of judging the leaderboard.
The new system takes into account the overall medal tally to judge the leader, and has been adopted throughout the American media.
Using this method, which can be seen on NBC.com and on The New York Times website, the US would be first with 82 medals, while China’s 79 medals (at the time of writing) would put them in second place.
But the official way of calculation, set by the IOC and which is adopted by the rest of the world, is developed according to the number of gold medals attained, followed by silver and then bronze.
It could be argued that the overall medal tally is a perfectly reasonable (or fair) way of measurement. However USA has never used this system in the past and shouldn’t start now just because it suits them.
With three days of competition remaining, it is highly unlikely that they will pick up enough gold medals to surpass China.
America has won every Summer Olympics since Barcelona in 1992, although it looks like their 16-year reign is about to come to an end.
But whether they (the Americans) have the balls to concede defeat, is another question.
stuff happens
Guest
'Will they admit defeat?" I agree with MarkR - you're kidding.They'll wait for their next brianwave - like blowing up Iran. You're talking about a country whose major contribution to the world in the last 8 years has been blowing things up and killing people.
MarkR
Guest
The question was will they admit defeat....you're kidding right, thy'll change the rules (count total medals) or just ignore the olympics. Same as most other countries would do......
Ace
Guest
I absolutely think that not all golds are created equally. More people run than any other sport in the history of mankind, both past and present. The marathon gold is surely more valuable than a 50 meter freestyle swim which is all of a couple of seconds. Duration and exertion are for me the Olympic imperatives. Gold = 100 Silver = 25 Bronze = 10 It's all too subjective, but I definitely think a gold is worth 4 silvers or 10 bronzes (at least).
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Please, Bolt is a professional athlete with major sponsorship
westy
Guest
Look I am far from pro American but if anyone seriously thinks an overall individual gold madal for rhythmic gymnastics, team gold medal for rhythmic gymnastics, then individual gold medals for ribbon /hoop/etetera,ecetera does not makes a mockery of gold medal tallies. Richer countries including Australia often win more technical or equipment orientated sports , as some Asian countries win more artistic orientated sports. I appreciate allthese achievements. BUT please not all gold medals are equal. Who wins my gold medal tally .............a very small country in the West Indies called Jamaica............they win not on subjective evaluation or technical equipment but simply on athletic ability. If a gold medal for ribbon gymnastics or syncronised diving is worth 3 points the 100 metre sprint should be worth 100 points. As some would say only my opinion but in pure athletics you compete against everyone who can run. You do not need a pool, boat,bicycle, or BMX bike. All you have got is what you were born with.Go Jamaica.
netrug
Guest
Netrug, That would, in my opinion be a fair way of counting score. And if it was counted that way (3-2-1) China would still be on top of the US with 186 points v 174. There is a lot of talk and voting polls in America about the way the system is and should be calculated. But why is it that these issues only come up when they aren't winning? Your points idea, which is quite valid and fair, seems to be disregarded in the States.
matta
Guest
mate - our media changes its mind all the time too...
netrug
Guest
Maybe the best wayis to introduce a points system, say 3 points for a gold, 2 for a silver and 1 for a bronze. Some would say the gold is t6he pinnacle and should be worth moree, so 5 for a gold, 2 for a silver and 1 for a bronze To others, the gold is all that matters. Just ask a certain Swedish wrestler.