Peggy Shinn Blog - Does Each Country's Medal Count Really Count?

As of Tuesday evening (Eastern time), the U.S. has won 79 medals in the 2008 Olympics: 26 golds, 26 silvers, and 27 bronzes.

China is lagging slightly in overall medal count with 76. But Chinese athletes have collected 17 more gold medals than U.S. athletes, with the most earned in gymnastics (9), weightlifting (8), diving (6), and shooting (5).

In comparison, almost 40 percent of all U.S. medals - and 48 percent of the gold medals - were won at the Water Cube: 12 golds (8 of them belonging to Phelps), 9 silvers, and 10 bronzes.

Earlier this week, the Chicago Tribune speculated that the U.S. could surpass China's gold rush, 48 medals to 45, if everything goes perfectly for the Red-White-and-Blue in men's and women's beach volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, men's soccer, BMX, volleyball, sailing, Taekwondo, equestrian events, water polo, and gymnastics.

Except things didn't go perfectly in gymnastics. At least the judges didn't think so, awarding Nastia Liukin a silver medal in uneven bars despite a tie score with China's He Kexin, who was deemed the gold medal winner.

But does medal count really count?

Back during the heat of the Cold War it seemed to. From the 1956 through the 1992 Olympics, the Soviets topped the medal count in every summer Olympics except three (1964, 1968, and 1984 when the Soviets didn't compete). Back then, the Soviets were our enemy - politically, militarily, and athletically. Remember how loudly we cheered the 1980 Miracle on Ice?

Training behind the Iron Curtain, they were also mysterious. Almost exotic. We tuned in to see their other-worldly performances and hoped Team USA could match their dominance.

Now the world seems smaller and more open. China doesn't feel like an enemy. How could it? Our homes are filled with items labeled "Made in China," and Chinese coaches like Jenny Lang Ping (women's volleyball) and Liang Chow (Shawn Johnson) now train our athletes.

It no longer seems as if the Olympics are about country versus country. While the competitors have the honor of representing their countries, whether or not they actually live or train there, it now really boils down to athlete versus athlete.

Except for Michael Phelps. His medal count really did count. And if he were his own country, he would rank seventh among gold medal winning nations ahead of Italy and the Ukraine.

 

Peggy Shinn is a freelance contributor for teamusa.org. This blog was not subject to the approval of the United States Olympic Committee or any National Governing Bodies.