TOTAL MEDAL COUNT VS. GOLD MEDALS

Okay, this is the second Olympics (including the Beijing Summer Games) that I as an American am a little embarrassed at our medias insistence on promoting the "Total Medal Count" over "Gold Medals". And let me just say, there is nothing to be ashamed about winning silvers and bronzes, I absolutely cheered and was elated for Ono and our silver in the Nordic Combined which was HUGE for our country!

BUT...it feels a little dirty and disengenuis to me. Most other countries count golds, period. Korea has 3 golds and is at the bottom of NBC's Total Medal Count....that's stilly. Germany has 3 golds but is #1 overall in the medal count...not surprising. Canada and France both have 2 golds but the good 'ol USA (one gold) is still second in the total medal count....LOL!

What do you guys think about this? I mean at the end of the day I want the USA to win the most medals, but if we don't win the most golds.....who cares about the most medals???

I like to see Golds.

However, unexpected Silver or Bronzes can be just as important/exciting.

Jamaica - Gold in sprinting? Ho, hum....it's expected

Jamaica - A Bronze in bobsledding = hysteria for months.

scottmitchell74 wrote:

Jamaica - A Bronze in bobsledding = hysteria for months.

OH HELL YEAH.....the whole globe would be stoked for Jamaica!! I WOULD BE!!

For myself, it's always been about the total medal count. Even though we were stuck on one, I knew our gold medal count would rise, and would look more balanced. It only took us a day to add 3 more golds , which puts the U.S at the top. Ask the Canadians how important the overall medal count means to them?

Below is why the overall medal count is important for the U.S. It wasn't all that long ago that the U.S sucked ass in the winter Olympics. I remember George Steinbrenner of all people was so sickened by the U.S and their performance in the 88 winter Olympics that he joined the USOC to fix things. Say what you want about George, but the mans presence garnered much better medal counts throughout the years for this country.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988_Winter_Olympics

The most medal in the history of the olympics is what counts

Well, yesterday, both went up for the US.

If Norway takes 1 more gold metal, they'll have 100 in total. I think tey have the total record in medals taken in winter olympics.

kmorg wrote:

If Norway takes 1 more gold metal, they'll have 100 in total. I think tey have the total record in medals taken in winter olympics.

I believe you are correct....but DON'T get too happy, WE'RE COMING FOR YOU!!!!

Not counting this year, we have a total of 280 medals, the US has 216. Guess you'll have to work hard this year

2104 then!!!! Mark it on the calendar!!!

The nation with the most medals wins unless there is a tie and then the tiebreaker is most golds.

CURSE YOU SVINDAL!!! CURSE YOU VIKINGS!!!!

T-Roy wrote:

CURSE YOU SVINDAL!!! CURSE YOU VIKINGS!!!!

After a slow start, Norway is really starting to collect some gold medals.
Better get used to second places cowboy

Gold medals.

Other medals should only be used as tie-breakers.

Olafsto wrote:

T-Roy wrote:

CURSE YOU SVINDAL!!! CURSE YOU VIKINGS!!!!

After a slow start, Norway is really starting to collect some gold medals.
Better get used to second places cowboy

yey england have one medal and its a gold. this is big news. hoping for good stuff in the curling though.

got to say the candian ice dancing pair were amazing. tessa virtue is well hot

Norway takes the gold in curling. Basic knowledge

well great britain won it eight years ago. our captain is pretty good

kmorg wrote:

Norway takes the gold in curling. Basic knowledge

Surprise, surprise....Vikings can slide rocks and sweep ice!

i would love to have a go at curling, it looks like fun. id love to have a go on the bob sleigh too but i guess that requires a lot of knowledge to do for it to be even remotely safe

Bode Miller got his gold in the Super Combined! It was him and Svindal again! AWESOME!

The USA will win the overall medals count.

7thSaviour wrote:

The USA will win the overall medals count.

Not so fast! Germany is only 4 or 5 behind us and tied in golds now. AND, going into bobsled events....they will get more, it's just a matter of how many and which ones. I don't count us for many more than what we have now with the exception of a women's gold or silver in hockey and possibly a medal for the men's hockey team.

Is curling a the biggest joke or what? It takes skill, granted, but a sport? It's a game.

TheNazgul wrote:

Is curling a the biggest joke or what? It takes skill, granted, but a sport? It's a game.

I'M WITH YOU BROTHER. I don't get it at all.