United States changed medal counting system?

Question

Is this proof that the United States used to count by Gold, but knowing they are losing the Gold count switched over to a Total Medal count?

Link to the 2004 Athens games, notice that China is ranked over Russia even though Russia has more medals overall.

http://asp.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/athens/medals.aspx

Link to the 2008 Beijing games

http://asp.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/beijing/medals.aspx

why did we all of a sudden changed to total medal count? To make the United States look like they are winning?

Answer 1

because the USA (read: NBC) has decided to make this their olympics... they should never, and I mean never get the sole rights to a worldwide event like this again. they suck. yes they changed it because "america" can't lose. I have lived all over the world and have watched the olympics from so many other countries that I'm embarrassed over this coverage. I couldn't even see other countries... like japan, italy, and others. they really suck.

here's the simple math.... do you win because you finished 3rd more than your opponent finished 1st? ummm, NO. they won this one. period. I don't care how many 2nds and 3rds you have. and to listen to them proclaim michael phelps the greatest olympian ever...... ummm NO, he doesn't have the most medal of any person. he certainly is the best swimmer ever, but overall, not yet.

so don't worry about the U.S. changing the counting method, BLAME NBC.  

Answer 2

I am appreciating that you dig out this information. I am wondering the same thing. Definitely they changed the way ranking the medal count this year. But the results are the same. People know it be the number, and that is he matter the most.

Answer 3

boy, someone has a grudge on the U.S. alright China won, but they forcefully push there athletes.

Answer 4

So what..at least all the US athletes (unlike the Chinese gymnasts) are all over 16 years old.

The US did not do that, the US media did and most Americans could give a care anyway. How many medals did you personally win? I'm gonna bet NONE...

Our American pride is not suffering over the number of medals our athletes won.

Edit:

I just heard an ABC network news report that said, "The USA won the most medals....and China won the most gold medals..."

Answer 5

very interesting... one only has to look at the far right hand column on the Athens table to see the count was done by gold.....

Answer 6

Yes it is proof. I can't see how you would rank a team with a total of 40 silver medals above one with a total of 39 golds. I can see the benefit if a points system as it also doesnt seem fair if you have a team with only one gold being ranked higher than a team with 40 silvers! So seems neither is totally a fair representation of who was 'best' You only have to looka t some of the athletes reactions to  WINNING silver or bronze to see they don't feel like they 'lost' so a 3,2,1 points system would seem a fair way to work it out - oh look that still means China wins!

Answer 7

because they like to look like winners

Answer 8

Probably, or to show that they cared about every athlethe's medal!

Answer 9

Only they were posting the count by totals early in the Olympics, when it wasnt clear who would have more gold medals.  

Answer 10

Is this proof that the United States used to count by Gold, but knowing they are losing the Gold count switched over to a Total Medal count?

Yes.

They just don't get it.

The whole point of the Olympic spirit is to participate.