By Julia Bredtmann, Carsten J. Crede and Sebastian Otten
Editor’s note: Julia Bredtmann, Carsten Crede and Sebastian Otten are researchers in economics at the Ruhr University Bochum, Germany. The views expressed are solely those of the authors.
The world’s biggest sporting event, this year involving athletes from more than 200 nations, officially opens in London today. But while much of the focus will be on the feats of individuals over the next 17 days, there’s always another competition going on too – the one between countries for the most Olympic medals.
In the lead up to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China dedicated more than $4.5 billion to supporting sports in an effort to supplant the United States as the world’s sporting superpower. Similarly, as the Economist noted back in 2008, the British government has ramped up spending by investing in and supporting its elite athletes. But is Olympic glory all about the money?
Using data on the number of medals won by each country at the summer Olympics from 1960 to 2008, we tried to identify the economic, demographic, and cultural factors that explain a country’s Olympic success – and to have a go at making our own predictions for London, too.
We settled on a range of indicators based on several sources, including the International Labor Organization and the World Bank. And, in line with findings from previous research, our analysis unsurprisingly indicated that money does indeed play an important role in Olympic success: wealthy countries win more Olympic medals than countries with comparatively low per capita income. Less money, it seems, makes it difficult to operate efficient support systems for talented athletes.
However, there’s more to being at the top than money alone. Populous countries clearly tend to have a larger number of talented athletes than small countries and therefore win, on average, a higher number of medals. But political systems also have an influence on athletic success: countries with socialist systems often dedicate significant resources to the development of top athletes in order to increase their international prestige and distract from domestic political issues. And, to a certain extent, countries with a socialist past still profit from previous investments and receive a higher number of medals even today.
But there’s more. Another factor is the famous home advantage: host countries’ athletes are generally more likely than usual to end up on the podium than if they aren’t hosting. This home advantage kicks in even before the games start as home athletes of the next host reap the benefits of the early expansion of sporting support.
Another factor is the climate of the home country – poor training conditions mean athletes from countries with a more extreme climate are overall at a disadvantage compared with participants from moderate climates, especially in outdoor events. Tropical climates, meanwhile, have been shown to have a particularly adverse impact on athletes’ performance, perhaps due to the high incidence of certain diseases, which undermines the general health level of the population.
Interestingly, though,the medal tallies of men and women over the years offers some insights into gender-specific determinants of Olympic success. Women from countries with emancipated societies, for example, and who are more likely to have equal opportunities in the workforce, typically win a higher number of medals than those who come from patriarchal societies. Female labor force participation rates, fertility rates and the number of years since women were given the right to vote are all factors that can help determine success. Essentially, the more women are free to participate in society and economic life, the more likely they are to be engaged in sports and offered the support they need to become top athletes.
So, based on all this information, who can we expect to come out on top in London? We predict that China will narrowly edge the U.S. in the overall medal tally, with 102 medals compared to 100 for America. Some way back in third place we expect to see Russia, with 71 medals. The British and Brazilian teams, with current and future home team advantage, can be expected to earn 57 and 28 medals, respectively.
Of course, the global financial crisis has been a painful reminder of how economic models can have the rug pulled from under them. In addition, while the factors we mentioned offer a useful guide, there are some outliers such as Kenya or Jamaica, whose success at the 2008 Olympic Games wouldn’t have been predicted by the model we used. But one of the great joys of the Olympics is that it’s impossible to control every factor that can lead to success for individuals.
The predictions we have made this year are exactly that – predictions. But although our model isn’t perfect, when applied to the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, the correlation between our prediction and the actual medals table was 97.4 percent and 96.9 percent.
All this said, the medals table may ultimately prove of secondary interest. As Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics, stated: “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win, but to take part.” But for those of us who will be keeping count, here are our final predictions:
1. China (102 medals), 2. United States (100), 3. Russia (71), 4. UK (57), 5. Australia (43), 6. France (39), 7. Germany (36), 8. South Korea (31), 9. Cuba (29), 10. Brazil (28), 11. Ukraine (28), 12. Italy (27), 13. Japan (27), 14. Belarus (19), 15. Spain (19).
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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China, like most of those type nations give their athletes and their families more and better food, and better living quarters for their performance. That's a good incentive.
They have the money to do that because they pay their workers a pittance. It's all about choices.
Your dismissiveness rings of ignorance. You treat the Chinese as if they lived under a North Korean economy, where food and living space IS rationed by the government. China's economy is effectively capitalist; like in trhe US, the Chinese seek out and recruit athletes who they funnel into programs with a ton of financial backing. You may as well dismiss American sporting success on the grounds that athletes in this country are overpaid and celebrated to the detriment of investing in science, the arts, and poverty-reduction programs.
When the USA does not win, we have as many excuses as Obama if not more, including a sackfull we haven't used yet.
Jonothan,
It is a brutal repressive gov't, wakeup and smell the roses...
@richunix
Typical ignorance. Let me guess you get all your information from the internet and what the news tells you right? And let me make another leap, you've never set foot in China before or anywhere in Asia.
Take a look at history. The fact is, real brutal and repressive governments never last and they certainly never prosper economically. (see N. Korea)
Not nearly as violent as the US though. How many countries has China invaded?
China invaded Vietnam as Deng Xiao-ping tried to teach Vietnam a lesson but ended up learning the same lesson Americans did in Vietnam. China also tried to take over Taiwan's territory but that also failed miserably. China also got into fight with India. Currently China is disputing over an island with Phillipines which is nowhere near China but is actually pretty close to the Phillipines.
Plus, don't forget the cheating that is enforced on Chinese athlete's without the athletes even knowing about it!
So what is the reason for the US getting so many medals in the past and even now? Because they are great? Why? Americans just can't stand not being #1... get used to it! There is a life after #1 America! Ask the Russians!
Better check the birth certificates of the Chinese athletes. They have a history of cheating in the Olympics.
I was going to say the same thing. Some of their gymnasts are typically about 11 years old.
An 11-year old Olympic gymnast successfully competing? Cry foul, age rule broken, but I would pat her on the head and congratulate her. And greatly admire her. The 11-year-old girls I know are not of great accomplishment in anything comparable.
Eroteme, the reason they (or anyone else) would use younger girls is because women's gymnastics is one of the fewer sports where smaller is better. Smaller gymnasts have a lower center of gravity which gives them better balance and they are also more capable at doing rotations and body flips.
Don’t forget the state-sponsored doping system.
http://www.smh.com.au/olympics/news-london-2012/chinese-olympians-subjected-to-routine-doping-20120726-22v65.html
How many American athletes were busted for doping? Especially the runners.
Yeah how DARE they. Here in 'Merica our athletes could NEVER use "performance enhancers." This is an outrage!
I love the double standard.
Imagine if BALCO was government sponsored and all American athletes were under their care. That is what you likely have with China. It's not likely they will get caught, because it is not too hard to beat a drug test if you know what you are doing.
America is a great country, but no. 2 now. China congrats for being no:1.
That sounds like exactly what an uneducated person like you would say.
Underage or not, they sure beat the hell out of Americans.
by being lighter? obviously the Chinese were bribing the officials. similar to the Miracle on Ice match.
Emigdio. Obviously the Chinese are bribing the officials? Thiis is an excellent charge should the Chinese win more medals than the USA.
The biggest cheating scandal in Olympic history was the US Olympic Committee covering up positve tests for banned substances by over 100 athletes, and letting them compete anyway. Carl Lewis tested positive for 3 banned substances before the 1988 Olympics, but a massive coverup allowed him to still compete. In all, 114 positive tests were covered up between 1988 and 2000, in the most systemic and egregious cheating scheme in Olympic history.
Can you cite at least 1 verifiable source that proves any thing you are claiming? I can, like you make outrageous statements too without a single real fact to back it. Oh that's right it was a secret conspiracy just like our own government really blew up the twin towers and Bush blew up the levees in New Orleans on purpose. LOL!! Go back to elementary school
I seem to remember many countries doing the same thing. They each sneak and dope and do all that. To specifically point out Americans shows your bigotry.
Have you seen the list of banned substances? It is real easy to take something on it. Carl Lewis got busted for a stimulant in a cold medication. It was not significant and easily explained. Hardly on the level of steroids or the real powerful PEDs.
I guess the censors don't want Americans to know that our country is known as the biggest cheaters in the history of the Olympic Games, since they keep deleting my posts. From 1988 until 2000, 114 US athletes tested positive for banned substances, but a cover up by the US Olympic Committee allowed them to compete anyway. Carl Lewis tested positive for 3 banned substances, but the USOC covered it up, and he went on to compete and medal. Outside the US, this is considered the worst cheating scandal in Olympic history, yet very few Americans are even aware that this happened...because the US media not only refuses to acknowledge it, but they censor anyone trying to talk about it.
Source please. If the committee covered it up. who told you?
South Koreans bribed olympic officials, the Danish were caught doping and the Brazilians beat up a referee. But
the Spanish cheated at the Special Olympics by sending non-handicapped people acting as handicapped to the Basketball paralympics. Nothing beats that one.
Don't bother with "Jacob"...he's most likely a troll with an axe to grind and absolutely NO data. Another conspiracy nut, I'd wager. Not worth even trying to have a rationale discussion with him...
Only good thing about the Chinese is their menu.
I sense jealousy for success of others. Learning to better ourself is the best way to defeat the rivals. I am a Chinese woman. I became a successful professional in technical field because I learnt to better myself in knowledge, not putting others down. I guess now I also sense being discriminated against.
Checking birth certificates doesn't help because China makes the birth certificates for chinese children. All they need to do is make fake ones for their athletes.
Mary, obviously, the Chinese athletes' age have been checked. You, on the other hand, had better check your hairy and loose kitten and make sure you have a certificate to prove that you are still virginn because you have the tendency trying to sell yourself as virginn.
Have people ever stopped for moment and think why there are so many sore losers and kwok zucking chums in Britain and America? Unlike those sore losers and kwok zucking chums in Britain and America, the Chinese would not badmouth Britain and America day in day out even though their human rights records are much worse than than Chinese'.
Thanks for a totally incomprehensible comment. Go back to English school before posting again.
Yeah, they send a bunch of underage babies to beat the best of the USA. That's cheating.
The cheating is on those poor babies. They know nothing other then their sport. They are taken away from their families and live and breathe what the government tells them to do. When they are done at 13 or 14 years old, they have nothing left and probably will be used to broom the streets.
They use underage because they have an advantage. If they did not, China would not have used underage.
How the phuck do you know that they are under age, is it because your big American kwok zucking mouth says so. Just because you might be cheating by zucking some black kwoks doesn't mean the Chinese are under age, losers.
China is well on it's way to leading the world in everything it seems...academics, research, science in motion aka athleticism...the dedication of Chinese nationals to perfection in all they do is awesome!
Yeah we'd better check their birth certificates because if there's anything worse than losing at something you've been training for years for, it's losing to a little kid.
I think China should spend that $4.5 billion rather than olympic sharades instead on human rights, since its record on the matter should have and continue today to preclude them from participating. But the IOC allows North Korea to compete as well, so I guess human rights doesn't matter that much to even the civilized world at the end of the day.
Remember who/what HOSTED the games in 1936? The Olympics has never been too sanctimonius about who gets to participate.
Xman the kwok head, if human rights is your real concern, countries like Britain, and America should definitely not be awarded the right to host the Games. You must have forgotten that these two countries have been invading country after country. Do you even realize that just a few decades ago there was still segregation in America?
and why still receiving foreign aid..
By medals per capita, China is not so impressive, winning by brute force at the cost of its people. At least our athletes are more natural, and at 1/5 the population, the fact that we are even close says a lot about our spirit and talent.
What does per capita have to do with the olympics? the same amount of athletes are allowed to participate in each category.
steroids
Most people are Chinese. It would make sense that they win a lot of medals.
Renee- most people are NOT Chinese. I think you are confusing "most people" with highest pecentage or most populous nation.
I do not think it will be close. China was down by 10 from the U.S. in 2008 in their home country, so I have no doubt the showing will be not as near as strong in London. In 2004, China was down by 40 and I do not think 8 years will make that big of a difference.
Oh,you just think
You know, this individual is a very sick, pervert, that only looks for attention.
He really represents no one but, A distorted mind.
Saeed should be ignored. I believe they are peaceful and reseonable muslims. I was once one and saeed does not all into that group.
Now that you are no longer one, what makes you think there are any left?
Over all medal count doesn't actually show who is the 'winning' nation. The most important stat is the number of Gold medals. China had more gold medals than any other nation in 2008 and Canada did the same in 2010. It doesn't matter who is the best loser. You either win or you lose.
That sounds like the philosophy of someone who has never competed at a high level. With nothing invested and with no effort on your part, you see gold as the only measure of success, and the second best in the world as a loser. Silver is a high acheivement in any sport, and should be recognized.
Gold or Bust.
I don't think China will finish first in medal count. People forget that in 2008 Beijing Olympics China enjoyed home field advantage. It's a lot easier to dope in your home country in facilities you're very familiar with. In fact I'm boldly predicting that the number will be a lot lower than 102 predicted by the authors. All it takes is few favorites getting uncomfortable in foreign land to choke in front of hostile crowd.
And I was right! I told you people China will win a lot less medals than 102 these authors predicted. I'll tell you one other thing. China peaked in Beijing when everything was going their way and they enjoyed home field advantage. You won't see China winning that many medals again.
China may top the medals tally because the Medals are "Made in China".
I been hearing this rumor the the medals are really gold plated silver. Can anyone confirm that?
The Indian nation is a bunch of losers. they will probably be jerking off in the olympics also.
Ah India. A 4th rate 3rd world country.
Did you just lose your job to one of them.
• 1/3rd world’s poor is in India. It also has a higher proportion of its population living on less than $ 2 per day than even sub-Saharan Africa.
• 828 million people or 75.6% of the Indian population is living below $2 a day. 42% of the population is living below the new international poverty line.
• 33% of the global poor are Indians. Sub-Saharan Africa considered the world’s poorest region is better than India.
• 41.8% of the rural population survive with monthly per capita consumption expenditure of Rs447 ($7)on essential necessities like food, fuel, light and clothing.
To Moiphy : Yep, a "third world" country which is growing @ 8%.
Yes, a 3rd world country, which is responsible for thousands of inventions and innovations, developers etc.
Yes, a 3rd world country whose students are so strong in math, coding and sciences that most "Western" companies shift their base to India.
yes, a 3rd world country, which wins medals in the science (physics, chemistry) and math olympiads (if not the sports olympiads).
Guess you have issues but there are bigger problems than the country of India. Might consider putting your issues on a back burner and look around. We have problems, our economy, our politicians, our Pres. O. DC gridlock, price of gas. Who, besides you, cares about India right now.
Do you want to be eaten up by them??? LOL !!!
The Aghori or Aghouri is a Hindu cult that is considered to have split off from the Kapalika order in the fourteenth century AD. They have cannibalistic rituals. The streets of northern Indian cities are littered with followers of this cult carrying a kapala, which is a cup made from a skull! These bizarre people will eat anything from rotten food to animal faeces. In order to achieve the highest citadel of enlightenment, the Aghori will perform horrendously crude rituals. The finality of their rituals is attained from eating the decaying flesh of a human.
You probably don't know anything about India, so stop hating! People like you should be educated before spreading lies and racism.
TERRORIST GROUPS IN INDIA
• RASHTRIYA SWAYAM SEWAK SHANG (R.S.S.)
• VISHWA HINDU PARISHAD
• HINDU MUNNANI
• ARYA SAMAJ
• SHIV SENA
• BHARATIYA JANATA PARISHAD
• SANT SAMITI
• HINDU MAHASABHA
• BAAJRANG DAL
I'm glad that none of them have ever attacked the United States.
New, More Dangerous Hindu Extremist Groups Emerge in India
Christians concerned as rightwing factions splinter to form militant outfits.
PUNE, India, October 29 (CDN) — After more than a decade of severe persecution, India’s Christian minority is growing increasingly concerned over the mushrooming of newer and deadlier Hindu extremist groups.
Gone are the days when Christians had to watch out only for the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council) and its youth wing, Bajrang Dal, which are closely linked with the most influential Hindu extremist umbrella organization, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). With voter support faltering for the RSS’s political wing, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), moderate and extremist sections within the Hindu nationalist movement are blaming each other, and militant splinter groups have emerged.
Rajat Gupta of India was found guilty of white collar terrorism in New York City. Want to know more? Indian arms dealers exporting nuclear technology to Iran? Indian financing of talibans who are attacking Americans all over the globe?
Claiming to be breakaway factions of the RSS, new groups with even more extreme ideology are surfacing. The Abhinav Bharat (Pride of India), the Rashtriya Jagran Manch (National Revival Forum), the Sri Ram Sene (Army of god Rama), the Hindu Dharam Sena (Army for Hindu Religion) and the Sanatan Sanstha (Eternal Organization) have launched numerous violent attacks on Christian and Muslim minorities.
I have yet to hear a Hindu attack a foreign country, especially considering their religious book says that there are many different paths to God (all rivers lead to the Ocean), Muslims on the other hand, seems wherever they are they are trying to kill others if not, kill other Muslims. Please note I use the term Muslim, but I do not believe for a second that any of these crackpot JIhad nutjobs are religious, they are just nutters, fools don't know Allah is going to punish them for their bad actions.
The Norwegian massacre was linked to India and training by these hindu extremist groups. Sorry to pee on your parade
ARE INDIANS UBER TERRORISTS OR WHAT???? Forget the GDP, focus on these murder statistics.
In India, millions of girls are strangled, slowly starved or simply tossed in the trash. Moreover, in India, at least 1,370 girls are aborted every day. As a comparison, some 250 Indians die every day in road accidents. Terrorists killed about six people, on an average, every day in 2009. In the last two decades of economic progress, 10 million girls have died as such in India.
SHAME ON INDIA AND ITS BARBARIC AND MEDIEVAL CULTURE !!!
Indians have killed more human beings (girls particularly) than Al Qaeda and Talibans put together.
@ Saeed: People, how easy it will be for any one to change name e.g. 'Tom' and post a similar comment for children in Afghanistan? Would you curse whole Christianity?
If not, then don't bash Islam for a comment, that may not be even from a Muslim to start with.
Thanks.
Somebody show me one muslim who would not murder, lie, deceive, abuse or one who would not turn his head away when faced with his/her peers doing the murdering, lying, deceiving, abusing and I might rethink my opinion of muslims. When the muslim holy book tells them to murder, lie, deceive, abuse-what are we supposed to think?
I feel soooo bad for these kids who are a victim of a cult called Hindus with such extremist and violent teachings and expectations. It does not differentiate between humans and animals. What a shame and the whole world is watching. What are the human rights organizations doing about it?
HINDU KALI – GODDESS OF VIOLENCE/TERRORISM
A recent report by United Press trust of India (UPI) stated that during the past three years more than 2,500 young boys and girls were sacrificed to goddess Kali in India. Another of AFP's recent reports say: hundreds of young boys and virgin girls are sacrificed every month for the deity Kali. In one case Rama Sewak hacked his eight year old son to death in broad daylight in Delhi because goddess Kali had told him he would come back to life and bring him good fortune. Bloodthirsty Kali is worshipped openly the length and breadth of India. Kali's statue stands naked astride the inanimate body of the Hindu deity Shiva, tongue stuck out with blood dripping from fang-like teeth. She holds a noose, a skull-topped staff, a blood-encrusted sword and a severed head. She is also known as Durga, Devi, Shaktima, Uma and Parvathi in other manifestations. The priest of Delhi, Kali Bari, says that a child sacrificed to Kali ensures a man the birth of a son. Human sacrifices are also made to these gods or goddesses, either to appease them or to ask favours of them.
Dina – you say you feel sooooo bad for those children and then you turn around and make statements that denigrate, belittle, malign another race. Apparantly, your muslim upbringing has shown you nothing but hate. I feel soooooooo bad for you.
Nina,,,,I do not know where you get you info from. I have read the Koran...abet the English language version. no where does it preach killing others in the name of Allah. Like most religious, books it does want one to spread the word of Allah (God)The violence comes from various thousands of different groups of religious leaders interpreting the Holy Scriptures to suit their needs or ambitions. The Islamic people are really a great group no different than you or I. Get Educated before speaking out of unfounded hatred
Dina,,I do not know where you get you info from. I have read the Koran...abet the English language version. no where does it preach killing others in the name of Allah. Like most religious, books it does want one to spread the word of Allah (God)The violence comes from various thousands of different groups of religious leaders interpreting the Holy Scriptures to suit their needs or ambitions. The Islamic people are really a great group no different than you or I. Get Educated before speaking out of unfounded hatred
Muslims are people just like jews and christians. Just because there are terrorists who are muslim, it doesn't mean that all muslims are terrorists. Also, look at the Christians who came to America. They killed a whole race. Also, the KKK, a terrorist group, are christians and they torment minorities. Does that mean all christians are bad? No. I'm Christian, and I don't think you should be spreading lies about muslims.
Qur'an:9:5 "Fight and kill the disbelievers wherever you find them, take them captive, harass them, lie in wait and ambush them using every stratagem of war."
Qur'an:9:29 "Fight those who do not believe until they all surrender, paying the protective tax in submission."
Qur'an:8:39 "Fight them until all opposition ends and all submit to Allah."
Qur'an:9:38 "Believers, what is the matter with you, that when you are asked to go forth and fight in Allah's Cause you cling to the earth? Do you prefer the life of this world to the Hereafter? Unless you go forth, He will afflict and punish you with a painful doom, and put others in your place."
Qur'an:2:217 "They question you concerning fighting in the sacred month. Say: 'Fighting therein is a grave (matter); but to prevent access to Allah, to deny Him, to prevent access to the Sacred Mosque, to expel its members, and polytheism are worse than slaughter. Nor will they cease fighting you until they make you renegades from your religion. If any of you turn back and die in unbelief, your works will be lost and you will go to Hell. Surely those who believe and leave their homes to fight in Allah's Cause have the hope of Allah's mercy."
Qur'an:2:244 "Fight in Allah's Cause, and know that Allah hears and knows all."
Qur'an:2:246 "He said: 'Would you refrain from fighting if fighting were prescribed for you?' They said: 'How could we refuse to fight in Allah's Cause?'"
Qur'an:61:4 "Surely Allah loves those who fight in His Cause."
Qur'an:61:11 "Believers, shall I lead you to a bargain or trade that will save you from a painful torment? That you believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), and that you strive and fight in Allah's Cause with your property and your lives: That will be best for you!" Qur'an 61:12 "He will forgive you your sins, and admit you to Gardens under which rivers flow, and to beautiful mansions in Eden: that is indeed the Supreme Achievement. And another (favor) which you love: help from Allah for a speedy victory over your enemies."
Qur'an:4:74 "Let those who fight in Allah's Cause sell this world's life for the hereafter. To him who fights in Allah's Cause, whether he is slain or victorious, We shall give him a reward."
Qur'an:4:75 "What reason have you that you should not fight in Allah's Cause?" [Another translation says:] "What is wrong with you that you do not fight for Allah?"
You want more proof?
Qur'an:9:14 "Fight them and Allah will punish them by your hands, lay them low, and cover them with shame. He will help you over them."
Qur'an:8:65 "O Prophet, urge the faithful to fight. If there are twenty among you with determination they will vanquish two hundred; if there are a hundred then they will slaughter a thousand unbelievers, for the infidels are a people devoid of understanding."
Qur'an:47:4 "When you clash with the unbelieving Infidels in battle (fighting Jihad in Allah's Cause), smite their necks until you overpower them, killing and wounding many of them. At length, when you have thoroughly subdued them, bind them firmly, making (them) captives. Thereafter either generosity or ransom (them based upon what benefits Islam) until the war lays down its burdens. Thus are you commanded by Allah to continue carrying out Jihad against the unbelieving infidels until they submit to Islam."
The prediction of 102 is totally wrong. The number of China's participants is only half the size of its 2008 team. I predict China will have about the same number of medals as its 2004 record.
I predict that there will be just as many sore American losers.
Orange Chicken with steroids is effin awesome, try it
Since you sound like a creative and innovative kwok zucking kwok zucker, have you ever tried zucking your own kwok by wetting it with orange juice?
Where is the report button?
No, but it sounds like you have....
Double congrats to China. Olympic gold and black gold from Canada. The athletes are preforming and the Keystone pipeline oil is going to them. Big day, special thanks to Obama and Chas. Schumer, D-NY and all the greenies.
I think you prediction is turning to be right!! They just won thier first medal !!
I can bet you a nickel China WILL NOT top the medal count. The Chinese society in general still thinks “手无缚鸡之力” or "physically very weak" is a good thing.
It looks like you and many others are correct and the author is blatantly wrong. As of today it's US 90 vs China 80. With only 3 events left I don't know how China will get its 22 medals like the author said. When it comes to sports, it's better not to mix your political emotion with it. With all this "China is great" some people get really carried away. They forgot what kind of advantage China had in Beijing.
Well you might be right with your prediction but don't forget china probably get 50 medals for table tennis, 50 medals for ping pong, 1medals for ding dong ching chong and 1 medal ting tong ling long. Sick men of Asia sucks and only play sissy games.
&&& You're only a racist troll, don't worry karma will get you and you'll be the one sick, promise!
China will win lots of medals, because if the Chinese Olympians fail they will be beaten then shot.
What are you smoking?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! You're an example of the extreme ignorance of some Americans!
@: YOU are an example of someone who will always take the troll bait. All countries have their ignorants. China too.
Irony of an ignoramus quoting the Bible in its username...
LIPSTICK ON A PIG: The Story of India
There is only so much one can do to make a pig look pretty
Slapping some lipstick is the epitomy.
India is mired in sewage and poverty.
GDP growth GDP growth
Has done nothing but made the people loathe.
Lipstick on a Pig is the Indian way
Either nukes will soon blow it away.
Or an implosion can perhaps ease the pain.
How come this nation of over 1.3 billion people can't win many medals? Bunch of losers?
why don't you ask your diaperheads the same phucking question?
No question that Indians can't find their @ss with both hands. Just a medieval nation with archaic values and a cult like culture called hinduism.
Fogget the medals.....listen up to thissss........
INDIA: On a Goat and a Stick:
The problem with India is that is built on a system of cultural and societal values based on Hinduism which is a cult. Nations built on a cult seldom survive in the long run. You can only take it so far based on symbolisms of a goat and a stick with a skinny little man aka gandhi banging boys at night and spinning wheels during daytime.
Saeed that is one verry sick comment.
Saeed comments show the mind of a very sick person, I will pray for his healing.
INDIA: S E X WITH COWS
In many Hindu temples there are sculptures depicting men having s e x not only with women but also cows. What is the meaning of this? Is not the cow sacred? If it is, then it should be worshipped not s e xually assaulted!
Have some steaks instead for Ram"s sake. hare krishna hare ram...don't f$ck the cows !
THEY MADE THE UNIFORMS FOR EVERYBODY,INCLUDING AMERICANS....
Here's a thought: In China they have more honors students than the United States has students.
China will dominate because they have the resources/people, a strong central government that defends the interests of it's people, and most importantly, THE WILL to do what it takes to dominate.
To quote Thomas Paine: "Lead, follow, or get out of the way."
Which will the United States choose?
Let's see, China: 1.3 billion people; US: 320 million. You do the math. It doesn't take a few geniuses to figure this one out.
Wonder why and how Cuba won 29 medals in the last Olympics. Maybe they did not know willing medals was based on population. Considering population Cuba should not have won any, maybe one or two.
Weren't the Olympics held in China famous for cheating? Just sayin'....
These billion + Indian hindus can't even do sports !!! Pathetic nation. China is way ahead of them in every aspect. Doom scenario for India.
Sorry, most people in India are trying to make a living than focusing on sports. If India was doing well financially, then there would be more athletes. I'm born in the US, but my parents are from India. And it isn't a pathetic country! There are people in India that can do so many interesting things, but you won't be able to see them unless you come to India.
Our excuses are ready should the Chinese win more medals than the USA.
Why China will top the medal count? let's see, maybe because they have 1 billion more people than we do here in America. They're bound to have a higher instance of good athletes.
Most Americans these days care more about binge drinking, teen pregnancy, and partying every night rather than winning medals for their country.
"Most" people from any country, including China, have neither the ambition nor the capability to compete at that level. But, if you just need an opportunity for self loathing, have at it.
Self loathing was a good one, but you have to face the truth that all American girls want penetration.
And I have no problem with that and you can ask my hot girlfriend.
A goat does not qualify as a "girlfriend".
Then you have all the athletes joining the military to spill innocent blood for corporate profits.
Can you corelate the two?
Other than sourcing from over a billion people, because they're the only ones who really care anymore. They're about 30 years late to the party.
you can test for sterioids in the western world, but you cant test for performance enhancements herbs in china! They are all natural...hint...think ginseng, ginger, and lemon grass will do for you. But take it a few steps up, and you have quite the efficient and clean body. Sorry but China will dominate the gold...this time.
Because if they dont, will end as forced organ donors for rich foreign patients and what is left will be made into vitamin pills and sold.
Of course your model works well for 2004 and 2008... it was built on the data from those games
[ 100,000 suffering Iraqi ghosts are angering ]
The US spends so much money to kill more than 100,000 innocent Iraqi Muslims; and murdered lots of innocent people in Libya, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Syria; but apology and compensation (US$9 trillion) both have not done. 100,000 suffering Iraqi ghost are angering. So the US is worst country on violating human right in the 21st century.
The US also has largest jail system on the earth. Half of world prisoners are the US citizens crowd in the US jails; the US also consume most evil drug. So the US is dirtiest country on violating morality in the 21st century.
Thus the US will lose at the Olympic Game. The US must reform to upgrade morality level otherwise will lose continually.
The US Federal debt is exceeding US$ 16 trillion, the administration borrows enormous money of 7% GDP but growth rate is 1.5%; the US is on the eve of declining. If continue, the US will lose more in next Olympic Game.
I didn't know white girls can give great bj's to Latin men.
They should have a " giving bj's" an olympic sport, I'll be a judge , I got lots of experience.
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1800 NFL football players, 1200 Major League Baseball players and almost 20,000 College Football players are the reason China will BARELY edge us in the medal count. None of these people participate in the Olympics and they are the absolute best athletes in the world, period. We've actually been over-performing the last couple of decades because until recently with China, no one was really trying to compete in the medal count.
Its hard to find just a list of medal counts on CNN but they sure do have alot of pro Chinese Olympic stories.
China makes the best athlete. USA papers them with choices and a life, makes them soft. China uses cattle prods on family to give incentive. Make athlete faster. GO CHINA NUMBER 1!
All those factors the authors claim to win olympic events are obvious, and they don't take a rocket scientists to make those claims. I would have liked them to back up their statements by presenting facts and the importance of each factor is weighed in wiinning. Even more important is how an athlete can overcome adversity by winning a medal when he or she is not one of the favorites.
East Germany, the USSR, and now China. Anyone awake, It is called cheating. Now we have chinese female swimmmers beating male swimmmers.
China will be better in anything that is achieved by pressure and discipline. That is historical feature of totalitarian rule.
The sports that the US will do best in are those that are the most lucrative for the contestant. Sponsors, teams etc. that pay and pay well. China pays its people and glamorizes those that succeed. Diving and gymnastics are long time Chinese passions where as if you aren't Mary Lou you are pretty much ignored. It's always been about the glory and in the us Glory translates into MONEY
who will win the most golds?
http://www.formvote.com/discuss.php?postid=281510897524932
Hindus can't even freakin win a game let alone a medal....as in hockey. This nation is imploding in every respect. Economy has dumped, trains are burning, power outage black outs the whole nation, in olympics they can't even shoot a duck with a bb gun. Paaathetic !!!
"Countries with socialist systems often dedicate significant resources to the development of top athletes in order to ... distract from domestic political issues."
How about one shred of evidence to support this?
I suspect that China can afford to support its athletes because, unlike the US, its vast wealth is not privately owned by an elite 1%.
Take out the Cubans and put in Jamaica
Why are people attacking religion and other races? We are all human beings, and we all have the same purposes in life. We all love are family and friends. We all want to be happy. Why point all the differences? And why generalize an event to a whole group of people? Please people stop spreading lies. Can we just all get along and enjoy the olympics?
Nina, sorry, but you're stupid! You keep saying comments that are not true. Please stop destroying other's brains!
America will be no: 1 again if Ron Paul is elected as the President.
You can take Obama out from Africa, but you can't take Africa out from Obama.
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LOL this prediction wasn't even close. China is a lot of hot air and not much else. The lead the USA had over them in gold medals the last time the Olympics was in a neutral country has DOUBLED.
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Might want to go back to school with these grandiose predictions. This was not even newsworthy but CNN ran it any way. As of 11:23am EDT 08/12/12 the US has 103 medals to China's 87. I love bookmarking articles which I know are a fallacy.
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God have mercy on your sick soul!
You're a really sick person.
religious fanaticism at it's core. people like you prove allah is a fraud.
Sick f___ing b@stard.
What someone should do is slap you around like a b... because that is what you are for picking on innocent children. I volunteer! Except I would kick your a$$. Are you man enough to take on the whipping I would give you?
In what way is blood and guts funny exactly?
@ Saeed – Enjoy your future on the terrorist watch list!
Posting terrorist threats on a public forum = Extremely smart....
Saeed...I find it hard to believe your post is considered "free speech" and allowed to stay. If it were up to me, you would be made to suffer for your comments...but Allah will see to that.
Oh...by the way MI6 and FBI loves this sort of post so expect you are now on a watch list and won't be flying anywhere soon.
really? some troll with the name "saeed" (how stereotypical) posts a stupid comment and you guys are outraged? wouldn't ignoring him have been a better bet? i'm muslim by the way, unlike saeed.
... that is what to expect from somebody who worships a pedophile
Baaaaaaaaaaaah, Baaaaaaaaaaaaaah, Baaaaaaaaaaaaah, Daaaaaaaaaaddy?
Can't they keep 12 year olds off this site somehow?
WT F?!! Why hasn't CNN pulled this idiots post down?
Bizarre child-burying Hindu ceremony in India
CNN:
Indian police have charged 80 people for burying children alive in an ancient Hindu ceremony known as "the festival of pits."
The ceremony, in which children - some less than a year old - are buried alive briefly and then dug up, happened on Monday in southern Tamil Nadu state, The Asian Age reported on Thursday.
Every two years, parents who have vowed to bury their first-born if they are blessed with a child, take part in the Kuzhimattru Thiru Vizha ceremony.
The children are drugged to make them unconscious and placed in shallow "graves" in temple courtyards.
The pits are covered with leaves and dirt and the children are pulled out after Hindu priests chant a brief prayer - lasting up to a minute.
@ Saeed: People, how easy it will be for any one to change name e.g. 'Tom' and post a similar comment for children in Afghanistan? Would you curse whole Christianity?
If not, then don't bash Islam for a comment, that may not be even from a Muslim to start with.
Thanks.
Where did my post go you clowns?
Why dont any one report this sicko for him to be put in mental hospital for good?
Hmmm sounds like a terrorist threat ..shouldnt this be reported? Saeed you are one sad person and the reason the world is as it is today
nO MEDAL FOR YOU SAEED
you are not a muslim but a fake one and mentally sick, fk your mentality, soul, even your brain, by the way i am a muslim too (for your confirmation)
You are one creepy troll.
saeed – What's the matter. Did your goat leave you for your cousin. Nothing to fondle anymore, hey what?
Stop pretending to be a muslim please. You're probably a hindu.
A true follower of islam. What a loser. No wonder no muslim nation makes it to top 15.
If China had American war debt,they couldn't afford to play with themselves.Saeed is coward ignorant American not.
Maybe you should just take your own life and leave the innocent alone.
well-well-well gotta lot of anti-USA throats out there{british, also}-should not have brought internet to all the copycats–the world will always b a lesser place without USA–take a look around u
bye bye moslem
hilarious
Here's a better idea..... we're going to find you and, before your summary execution and burial at sea, you will be inseminated by a pig. Good luck collecting those virgins.
Seaweed, are you ever in need of some "get out amongst the living" time! I don't know about you, but the rest of the world goes by actions, not words. Don't you go by the same Koran as the Islamist's?
If I stated i wanted to send a drone missile into a middle eastern school i would be branded a racist, bigot and all manner to foul names by our Leftest elite.. But if a Muslim wants to blow up planes, schools and buses, well they are just freedom fighters. When was the last time you saw British or Irish people throwing acid in little girls faces or killing their daughter for loving the person of her choice? Isnt their a problem in Britain with Muslim men getting young white girls hooked on drugs then pimping them out? Since they are not muslim its felt in the Islamic world that they can be used, right? We invited people from all over the Middle East to come into our countries and into our homes and this is they type of stuff that is happening.
Multiculturalism has failed.
how ignorant of you to have said that. what brought religion into it!!!!
And you are fraud too.What allah has to do with the message posted by this lunatic
exactly. you should go educate your lacked brain honey.
You do realize that "saeed" is most likely just an internet troll, and not muslim?
Kroo
Saeed is muslim. He has made that clear many times over several months.
You cannot rehabilitate him. Muslim is as muslim says as muslim does.
Religion is a fraud. It is good for dummies not for normal people.
islam is an evil religion – why do muslims want to kill everyone who isn't a muslim
christianity is an evil religion as well. More blood and more violence in the history of christianity.
TO learn about Islam and how it is 100% peaceful – go to http://thereligionofpeace.com
Perhaps doping might do the magic!
This year the International Olympic Committe (IOC) is taking draconian measures to tackle doping. Perhaps we might see more sober results.
moslem is not peaceful–u always blowin' up–even own moslem–moslem was spread by fatalities, not peace–born 2 the devil
and you are a peaceful man who would never say or do anything to Christians or Jews?
I agree, Jamshed. You are right. We're just feeding this guy. Best to ignore him. He'll have to go away sometime.
I'll just leave you two alone, for some alone time.
Nudge, Nudge, WinkWink!
I am pretty sure that he is not a Muslim, and most likely a 12 year old.
Now you know Saeed is 100% muslim, don't you!
and he is most likely 40-55 years old.
Right? This dude (Saeed) has been trolling/ruining Fareeds comments section for a few weeks now...
because cnn hasnt learned how to block an ip address yet
I dunno! Where did it go? There it is!..no wait...there it is! um.no...over there! There! Oops. There it goes! Sorry, I think it's gone. Better post it again. ;op
I agree. kinda dumb to say stuff like that. Seems like a real terrorist would keep quiet about it and just do it. Something not quite right about this guy. Assuming he's a guy and not a little kid playing idiot jokes.
Somebody is lying to himself!
What has this got to do with the olympics , you troll!
some bl00dy 12 year old tramp you are!
Whats your problem with india loser?
Muslim is as Muslims says as Muslim does.
Saeed is what he is-a good Muslim.