At this point, what is more impressive? China's 27 golds or USA's 50 total medals?

Question

I think having 27 gold medals so far is more impressive than 50 total medals because it shows that your countrys' athletes won the events they participanted in. It also shows dominance in those events, plus the fact that half of USAs golds belong to Michael Phelps.

Answer 1

The 27 gold is heaps awsum. USA have done well too though. I mean 50 medals!!! according to the Olympic commitee the gold is better than the total though!! I dunno though. Its a hard one!

Answer 2

Anyone who thinks the USA is doing better at these Games--at least as of right now--is a blind patriot who is unqualified to have an opinion in the first place.

#1. The Quality Argument

- You might have a case for total medals if it were 50 vs. 100. But it's 47-54, a difference of seven medals. Team China leads Team USA by ELEVEN GOLD medals, which is definitely more significant than the seven additional runner-ups.

- In addition to agreeing with the above poster's A/B/C argument, I'd also like to point out that silver and bronze medals do not necessarily represent second and third places, respectively. This applies especially in tournament-based events, where a stronger player can be eliminated in the earlier rounds or receive a "bye." On the other hand, the gold medalist has to defeat everybody he faces.

- Having a lot of medals but (relatively) few golds shows that the team is a jack of all trades, but a master of none.

#2. The Diversity Argument

- Team China's athletes have won golds in EIGHT different sports so far: Archery, Badminton, Fencing, Gymnastics, Judo, Shooting, Swimming, and Weightlifting.

- Team USA's athletes have won golds in FIVE different sports: Cycling, Fencing, Gymnastics, Shooting, and Swimming.

- Swimming accounts for 11 OUT OF 16 golds so far. Of those 11, Phelps got 7 of them for Team USA. Now, imagine where Team USA would be right now without Phelps.

- If you want to call yourself the world's greatest sporting nation, dominating a single sport does not do.

Answer 3

Phelps definitely is a major contributor. Anyways, Gold is definitely valued more and proves the athlete is the world's best. Major difference, Gold is more difficult to achieve, since you have to defeat everyone. Having Silver or Bronze is good as well but then you'll have that monkey on your back that another athlete from another country is better. I'll say having more Gold is more impressive.

Answer 4

*I think the total number of medals is far more impressive. All medals are accomplishments or we wouldn't have silver and bronze medals. They all count as achievements... to think otherwise is silly.*

What she said

Answer 5

Yeah, the 27 gold medals...that's pretty sick!!! They're kickin' azz!

Answer 6

How about considering medals per capita population, or perhaps in comparison to a country's GDP?  That might be much more impressive!

China : 1 gold per 49 094 222 people

US : 1 gold per 19 054 687 people

Germany : 1 gold per 10 277 225 people

South Korea : 1 gold per 8 037 333 people

Australia : 1 gold per 3 055 513

Just did a quick calculation using the figures on population listed in Wikipedia and the medal tally on the abc.net.au website

Consider the respective population to select from here, and then think about what might be more impressive.

In terms of GDP, Ethiopia, which has one gold medal, has a GDP of 19,431(millions of US dollars) and the US has a GDP of 13,843,825 (millions of US dollars).  Again these figures are taken from Wikipedia.

Answer 7

I'd have to go with the USA's 50 total medals. Earning a Silver or Bronze medal isn't a small feat either.  

Answer 8

China, because that winning total won't last for long.

Answer 9

I think the total number of medals is far more impressive. All medals are accomplishments or we wouldn't have silver and bronze medals. They all count as achievements... to think otherwise is silly. Especially in events like swimming where a win can be by 1/100 of a second. Silver and bronze are NOTHING to laugh at.

And I guess we have 54 medals, now.

Answer 10

of course GOLD is more impressive!!

i dont think anyone goin to the olympics is aiming for silver...

Answer 11

This is similar to the traditional grading system at our school. I'll use that as an example. A is gold while B and C are silver and bronze repsectively. Now, if a student receives 27 A's in 27 different courses, is that impressive? Or, receiving B's and C's in 50 different courses is more impressive? B's and C's aren't bad, they also passed the course but they aren't as good as an A. Finally, considering 27 is a little more than half of 50, I think we can conclude, 27 Gold medals is more impressive than 50 medals - Considering gold medals aren't included. If Gold is included with the 50 and we're only comparing to 27 gold medals, that's a different case.

Answer 12

Gold