Medal Counts difference between the U.S. and rest of world?

Question

Why is it that the USA is the only country in the world that counts total medals NOT gold medals as being #1 in the standings? Go to BBC, CBC, China, Russia...any country and they all have China as #1 in the standings because they have the most gold medals

Answer 1

It's been done that way for the longest time.  The US has always like to emphasize that you are a winner for trying.  Other country, specially the eastern block, puts emphasis on winning #1 spot only, and silver is the first loser.

To me neither counting system is right.  With the US method a country with 20 gold is tied with a country with 20 bronze, with the other method, a country with 1 gold wins over a country with 20 silver.

I like the point system and Indonesia used to use, I don't know if they still do.  But they put points to every color, 3 points for gold, 2 for silver and 1 for bronze.  Add em all up and sort the country by the total point.

Answer 2

That would offend the athletes that one them. If you tried your heart out for an event and won a bronze, how would you feel if nobody counted it. Pretty much saying your nothing, try again.