The 2020 Tokyo Olympics has finally begun, after an unprecedented delay of one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some significance can be placed on mere participation of the Games, but the harsh reality is that tangible achievements are sought and expected by both the nations and their athletes. The equation of medal counts to a country’s power in the world was prevalent during the Cold War era, and persists even today. With advancements in technology, the competition has evolved from simply relying on athletes’ physical prowess to comprehensive video analyses, equipment optimization and experimental kinesiology.
Concerning medal table rankings of the Olympic Games, Hahn comments on two prevalent formulas which are: total medals (unweighted sum of gold/silver/bronze), and gold medals only (then silver and bronze medals for tiebreaking). Should a country with one gold medal outrank another with 10 silver medals? On the other hand, Michael Phelps won 8 gold medals for the US in multiple swimming categories during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, while only one medal is at stake for multi-player sports such as soccer or baseball. Is it reasonable to value a gold medal won in an individual category equally as another gold medal for team sports?
Hahn’s alternative proposal for ranking the medal achievements by country is the following. First, the medals are weighted by points: 3 points for gold, 2 for silver, and 1 for bronze. Second, the points won in team sports according to the medal color is multiplied by the number of players. Third, the point contribution is limited to 3 points per athlete during the Games. This way, a country sending a swimmer with two gold medals and a Taekwondo artist with a bronze medal gets assigned 3 + 1 = 4 points. A different country whose basketball team wins a silver medal would be reward 5 x 2 = 10 points.
Musings on medal tables aside, winning an Olympic medal should be well commended. It is a grand challenge to become the best in the world in any field, and the athletes devote their entire lives for short moments of glory. Although only the final winners are often remembered, Hahn would like to support and encourage all the participants of this year’s Olympic Games.
Link to the original column (in Korean): https://www.seoul.co.kr/news/newsView.php?id=20210727029012