Conspiracy theory anyone: Gold Medal imbalence for the Chinese?

Question

why is it that the u.s. especially as well as most other countries had a reasonably balanced # of medals, but the Chinese had WAY more gold than silver or bronze? seriously, literally the MAJORITY of their medals were gold. this isn't exactly unusual, but doesn't it seem like bias by the chinese judges went a little to far? i'm sure i'll get reamed by some people for being "a close-minded American bigot" and/or "hypocrite", but that's just the way it goes.

Answer 1

The imbalance stems from the fact that China won a lot more events than they came second or third in.  All judges/referees are from neutral countries.

You are a close minded American bigot and/or hypocrite.

Answer 2

This is because China only focus on the events that they are able to get golds. That's their focus. And congrats to China!

Answer 3

I really think people are over looking the "home field advantage".  Just like the U.S. won the most gold medals in Atlanta.  The Chinese athletes were on their home field.  Their schedules, their sleeping, where & what they ate, didn't change at all.  Don't under estimate the "comforts of home" for athletes.  I don't think it had anything to do with judges.  Wait and see what happens if / when the games come to Chicago.

Answer 4

I am spanish and I think the winner should be the country that most total medals has won.

However, if a country wins 0g 0s and 30b and another country wins 10g and 10s the winner should be the second one.

But every people sees that in different way. Imagine in basketball: you look who the one with most points per game is and I look who the one with most total points is. They can be the same person but maybe not.

If it's more important win all kind of medals to you, look this.

If it's more important win gold medals to you, look this.

Pd.: Sorry for my english :S

Answer 5

You can only send a certain number of athletes into each competition, so you can only come out with two, maybe three medals in all competitions.  If China wins gold and silver in one competition, then gold and bronze in another, then their ratio will be off.  For instance, they were upset in badminton, but only for their bronze medal, so they still won the gold and silver medals.  It was very unlikely someone would somehow beat the two best Chinese players to win the gold, but much more likely they would lose to the #2 player and beat the #3 player to spoil the bronze.

There were no more Chinese judges than there were American judges.  China was favored to win the most gold medals by the oddsmakers before the competition started, and throughout the Olympics.  It's really no surprise to anyone who follows the odds.