To each his own...

In this century, most of us will find it normal that in so many aspects of our world, numbers make the difference... the numbers are the indicators for success, for winning, for being Number One in the family, the company, the economy, the country, the world...

which makes it amusing to see so much happening now on deciding which is the REAL way of tallying the medals won at the recent Olympics in Beijing...

There is of course, the reputation of being the world's largest and most powerful sporting country at stake.. but well see for yourself:

1) Gold Medal Won
This list ranks countries by the number of Gold Medals won, since the Gold Medal is indicative of being Champions in the sport. By this list, China leads hugely with a total of 51.

2) Total Medals Won
The USA ranks top in this list, coming in with a total of 110 to the 100 by China. This ranking is done in the USA.

3) Total Points Gained
The following is taken from an article on The Straits Times

The New Superpower, 25 Aug 08

"the US Olympic Committee, by paying US$25,000 (S$35,000) for a gold medal, US$15,000 for silver and US$10,000 for bronze, provides a fairer gauge: 25 points for gold, 15 for silver, 10 for bronze.

By that method, China have 1,870 points and the Americans 1,830."

4) the REAL Olympic medal tally
This tally does not include sports where the final results are entirely decided by referees and judging (e.g. diving, gymnastics, tae kwon do...) The final total medal tally puts US ahead of China 76 to 48.

5) Medals per capita
This takes total medals won divided by total national population and thus ranks US and China way back in the list.

I'm sure a further search on the internet will reveal more methods...
Now that the Games are over, the sports war is done...
Let the numbers game and statistics war begin...