One of the great things about the Olympics is to see how one’s country stands in the overall medal tally, how you measure up against others, especially if the ‘others’ are old foes.
True, for two weeks, exacerbated nationalism is tolerated or even ‘de rigueur’.
Already, many British have labeled the Opening Ceremony as ‘the best ever’ while Chinese nationals want to show the world they are the new sports super power.
Pierre de Coubertin might once have said that “the most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part”.
However, putting as many nations as possible behind yours on the medal tally is still a very enjoyable experience, if not the most thrilling one.
It’s also a good way to look at our world most recent changes and their impacts, be political, economic or cultural. Some countries are gone while new ones make their first appearance on the world stage.
In 2012, Muslim female athletes are well represented in many sporting events, North Koreans are seen as ‘athletes’ rather than ‘communists’ and we all know that St Kitts and Nevis can produce some very fast men since Kim Collins put his country on the map a decade ago.
Most people learn more in Geography and International Politics in these two weeks than during the following 4 years. Scary thought, yes.
The old USA v USSR battle has now been replaced by a ‘ménage à trois’ between the US, China and Russia. No cold war nor ‘democracy v totalitarianism’ in London 2012, only a good old bout between three super powers.
The economic situation being what it is, China has entered these games full of confidence while the Americans are adjusting to their new world status: a world super power, yes, but certainly not the only one. And the first day of these Olympics certainly confirmed that as Chinese swimmers had a cracker in the pool. Yankee territory no more.
So yes, most of us will have a look at the medal tally every day for the next two weeks, no matter where we come from.
If China, the US and to a lesser extent Russia are aiming at dominating the overall wide world of sports, European nations have their own mini-Olympics: Germany, GB, France, Italy or Spain want first and foremost to top ‘old Europe’.
What about Australians? To have Great Britain behind at the end of the games is for many the only goal of the Olympics. Forget the number of medals or their metal. On home turf, how great would that be! What cricket series?!
The Olympics are also the only sporting event during which Aussies can cheer for the Kiwis; they are no threat overall and it’s good to start a comp’ with that in mind.
How about North and South Korea, the former Yugoslavian countries, the battle for Scandinavian supremacy etc…? Plenty of rivalries, some healthy others still tense. One thing is certain, we will all look at how ‘we’ and ‘they’ are doing, hoping ‘we’ end up above them on the standings.
So who is going to top the overall tally? Will Australia, the US or Europeans struggle to make it to the top 10 as Asian nations did look the part in the pool on day one? What about Jamaica or Kenya, can their track and field stars bring them up the ladder?
This is my top predicted 10. What’s yours?
1. China
2. USA
3. Russia
4. Great Britain
5. Germany
6. Japan
7. South Korea
8. Italy
9. France
10. Australia
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