The Folly of the Olympic Medal Count: Athletes, Audiences Deserve Better

As an important furthermore, let us all remember that the Olympics strive for an ideal of athletic purity is greatly bolstered by the massive television coverage.  There is an immense amount of money spent on broadcasting rights, money that goes directly to the IOC—traditionally one of the most corrupt and wealthy organizations in the world. 

NBC will pay $894 million to televise the Olympics this summer—and they expect to make a profit.  That sort of money goes a long way to overrunning athletic “purity.”

This “medal count” is unequally spread throughout the sports, as well, making the statistical measure insufficient.  One hundred and nineteen (119 out of 956 total) medals are given in the sports of swimming, rowing, sailing, canoe/kayak, and track and field.  These are sports that Americans are, traditionally, good at. 

The Chinese are so determined to “catch” the United States that they created a program called Project 119 in 2001 to boost their medals in those sports.  China is, perhaps, more wrapped up in this silliness than any other country.  Of course, the Chinese may have more to gain in world standing and national self-esteem than any other country. 

Whatever happened to the strong tradition of rooting for the underdog in this country? From last year’s New York Giants to the ’88 Dodgers to the 1980 Hockey team?  That trend does not extend to the Olympics right now. 

Yes, there are those occasional prime time looks at athletes from underprivileged countries that are meant to stir the heart (see the Eel, Eric, 2000 Summer Olympics) but also to subconsciously remind Americans of their overall preeminence. 

With that being said, we don’t root for athletes from other countries against our own juggernaut.  We have come to expect American athletes to break world records and win medals.

Besides, all of the medal winning is a poor substitute for making an effective, meaningful impact on an international level.  Nothing Phelps accomplishes is going to help this country win back international esteem and goodwill.  Or help with the genocide in Darfur, the starvation in Bangladesh, or the political crisis in Zimbabwe. 

Here’s the crux, I think: the individual achievements of the American swimmers, the U.S. Softball team, the gymnasts, the track team, and so many more are truly remarkable and commendable—as athletic achievements.  But not as evidence of American superiority.  There are an almost infinite number of things that make this country great—starting with the Bill of Rights and Freedom of Expression, but we take our athletic dominance for granted. 

I will be parked in front of the television next weekend rooting with vigor as Phelps, Katie Hoff, and Natalie Coughlin take to that fantastic luminescent bubble in downtown Beijing. But not solely because they are Americans.  And not at all because it will prove that Americans are better than other nationalities. 

I will be rooting for the athlete, for the achievement. For the fact that Taylor Phinney can ride his bike over twenty miles per hour. For the fact that Jeremy Wariner runs the 400 meters in under 45 seconds (I could do it in, two-and-a-half minutes), and for Jenn Stuczynski to literally fly in the pole vault.  I’ll be keeping my patriotism in perspective.  Saving it for a truly transcendent moment.  Like peace.

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