We totally aced the Olympics

[d000hg]

On the population issue... China's medal tally is frequently put down to "well they've a billion people to choose from". Which sounds a good argument, until you consider India.

[mudskipper]

On the population issue... China's medal tally is frequently put down to "well they've a billion people to choose from". Which sounds a good argument, until you consider India.

China are focussed on being the best - they identify potential at a young age and train those kids intensively to be the best. India isn't particularly interested in olympic sport - at least unless they introduce cricket.

[Old Greg]

China are focussed on being the best - they identify potential at a young age and train those kids intensively to be the best. India isn't particularly interested in olympic sport - at least unless they introduce cricket.

Apart from hockey at least. I think India has a mature attitude. I don't like this new UK drive for medals. It smacks of Soviet propagandism .

[SupremeSpod]

Apart from hockey at least. I think India has a mature attitude. I don't like this new UK drive for medals. It smacks of Soviet propagandism .

Really?

If you're the best in the world and a Gold medal proves decidedly that you are then I think we should shout it from the rafters.

Celebrate our victories, **** knows we have few of them as it is.

[mudskipper]

Really?

If you're the best in the world and a Gold medal proves decidedly that you are then I think we should shout it from the rafters.

Celebrate our victories, **** knows we have few of them as it is.

I think it depends on the lengths you go to to get your golds. In the UK, kids aren't forced by the state to practice their sport for eight hours plus a day. (Their parents may be a different matter).

[nomadd]

On the population issue... China's medal tally is frequently put down to "well they've a billion people to choose from". Which sounds a good argument, until you consider India.

Maybe India should consider outsourcing/offshoring?

[Old Greg]

Really?

If you're the best in the world and a Gold medal proves decidedly that you are then I think we should shout it from the rafters.

Celebrate our victories, **** knows we have few of them as it is.

I was talking about the investment into élite athletics with the aim of winning medals. The need to prove the country's strength in this way seems propagandist to me. But I am quite old fashioned and Corinthian in my views, I will admit.

[BrilloPad]

I think it depends on the lengths you go to to get your golds. In the UK, kids aren't forced by the state to practice their sport for eight hours plus a day. (Their parents may be a different matter).

Exactly. Their is a guy at our local club who apparently reduces his kids to tears. No-one likes him. He has tried to introduce a youth wing. That did not go down well.

[MarillionFan]

BBC News - Olympic success: How much does a gold medal cost?

Interesting article(now sure if it's in the previous 12 pages of dross).

We spend around £10million per gold metal. They're worth £450 each.

[louie]

BBC News - Olympic success: How much does a gold medal cost?

Interesting article(now sure if it's in the previous 12 pages of dross).

We spend around £10million per gold metal. They're worth £450 each.

It was all worth it, it made me shout YES a few times and gave the press lots of material.