What means more in the olympics the most gold medals or the most medals overall?

Question

What means more in the olympics the most gold medals or the most medals overall?

Answer 1

I believe most medals overall.

Answer 2

My friend, overall medal. Currently the US is leading, with China in second and Australia in third.

Answer 3

Gold for sure hearing you Countries anthem played more makes you proud

Answer 4

I guess I can compare this question to asking, which is more important, quantity or quality?  

Most countries would consider having more gold medals to be the better, because they have quality.  But I don't think any country would complain about having the most medals either.  

Answer 5

Neither mean anything...well...they shouldn't...it's about the competition...the sportsmanship...the unity.  Sadly, it is all becoming like pro sports...that part of the Olympics I am not liking.

Answer 6

Most medals over all I believe.  

Answer 7

According to the IOC and most non American media outlets it would be most gold medals.  Really would it be better to gave 30 winners of an event for your country or 50 who finished 3rd?

Answer 8

Past 3 Olympics USA has been #1 in gold count. Still, USA has always chosen total medal count as the yardstick.  If the focus is not on individuals but on the strongest sports nation in the world - then total number of medals is a better indicator. Usually this is not a moot point as in all the previous olympics the country that has highest gold also had the highest total medals.  Incidentally this may be one of the rare times where one country heads total medal count (USA) and another country total gold count(China).

Answer 9

Traditionally, it was gold medals, but because the US it trailing badly in this category, the American media outlets focus on the total number of medals. BBC, for instance, sticks with the tradition.

Answer 10

Some say total medals others say total gold. Depends on what sounds better for your country.