Why have you just watched 5 minutes?I have watched less than 5 minutes of the Olympics. I read this thread in an attempt to get some news on what's gone down. And...
2016 Summer Olympics Thread
- Thread starter Raising Heel
- Start date
He spends the remainder of his free time poasting in the Random Picture Thread.
Well, that and the fact that the Olympics don't interest me all that much anymore. Plus, on most evenings and weekends during the summer, we're out doing stuff rather than at home watching TV.
Yeah, that whole story has been really bizarre. It's kind of like the Manti Te'o girlfriend of the Rio Olympics.
So we are way out in front with gold and overall medals. To what primary factors do you attribute our success at the Olympics?
We have better drugs than other countries.....lol
1. a) Population size (total people). I think we're #3 behind China and India, right? The Chinese generally put up a decent medal count as well. Choosing from a large pool of people heightens your amount of good athletes available.
b)Population size (demographics). Even though there's more people in China and India, their populations on average are genetically disadvantaged for a lot of sports (is that borderline racist?). Americans are on average bigger by nature. Also - since the USA is more diverse, they have a better chance of finding the ideal body type for a lot of different sports. To not go over the top here, I'll just say that the American swimmers, sprinters, and ping pong players all look different. The Chinese swimmers, sprinters, and ping pong players all look similar.
2. Wealth. As the highest GDP producing nation - a higher percentage of kids can grow up playing pretty much whatever sport they want to, without worrying about cost, or needing to be working to help support families. Also - having the money to provide top notch medicine/trainers helps.
3. Media bias. Not sure how much this comes into play, but the goal of the Olympic Committee is to get viewership for the Olympics. I'd imagine the USA is their biggest audience. Therefore they'd have an incentive to include sports that Americans watch/play.
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What's interesting is that a lot of these other countries are funded by the government, but America still dominates. Who would have thought that removing government from the equation would equal better results?
Keeping in mind Twitter timelines are in reverse chronological order, read from the bottom up:
Also, shoutout to Paul Chilemo, the guy from UNCG, getting silver last night in the 5k!
This one is in the bag. Glad for our boys. Are you saying you think the gap is going to close to the point where we will be in wars versus them at Fiba and the next Olympics? I think that's relative to who shows up and plays for us. Remember, we had about 3 or 4 guys who didn't show up that likely start for this team.
Also, both men and women took gold in 4x400 last night. Six straight Olympics that the women have won the relay!
I think you're right that if some of our better guys (Curry, LeBron, Anthony Davis for instance) come back, then we have a major gap, but I think Australia is definitely on the rise. They have a core of guys who if they stay healthy will definitely be able to contend. They gave us a tough time this year and I think they are on the rise. As you said, if our top guys keep playing, then we still should be at the top, but they are gonna have about 7 pros, which could make for some tough games
No doubt. They are getting better. Winning won't be as easy going forward, it's a reality we'll soon have to face.
Congrats to the basketball team for winning gold, and oh yeah, congrats to Tar Heel Harrison Barnes for winning gold!!!
I am getting sick of hearing Doug Collins talking about his douche bag son, the rat and the dook family. i think Jeff capel was picking his nose when the camera just zoomed to him. Haha.
