2024 Summer Olympic Games Discussion

[Orodruin]

Plenty of good examples could be found in both football (American) and baseball.
Ask several people to explain quarterback performance statistics.

I feel this obsession with sports statistics is largely a US phenomenon.

 

[robphy]

If you're going to rank countries by other than just medal count, I would suggest population size but also size of their economy.

Medal count is far more a function of money (both direct support and overall economy) than population. The Filipino gymnast mistakenly called the Philippines a small country. It's bigger than every "western" country except the US. Its's just poor.

An interesting measure would be to see golds per gdp …

Who won the Olympics based on how much money it took to win?
How much does it cost to win gold?
By James Dator Updated Aug 12, 2024, 9:33am EDT
https://www.sbnation.com/2024/8/8/24215406/2024-olympic-medal-count-ranked-gdp-money

 

[berkeman]

Who won the Olympics based on how much money it took to win?
How much does it cost to win gold?
By James Dator Updated Aug 12, 2024, 9:33am EDT
https://www.sbnation.com/2024/8/8/24215406/2024-olympic-medal-count-ranked-gdp-money

It goes without saying that money plays a huge role in sporting success. From physically sending athletes, to having well-funded training — it’s critical to have at least some money behind you in order to win in the Olympics.

 

[BillTre]

Who won the Olympics based on how much money it took to win?
How much does it cost to win gold?
By James Dator Updated Aug 12, 2024, 9:33am EDT
https://www.sbnation.com/2024/8/8/24215406/2024-olympic-medal-count-ranked-gdp-money

That article has an interesting table.
I wonder how normalizing across countries for average cost of living or something like that.