Analysing 30 years of Olympic Video games medals distribution and nationwide wealth indicators
A lifetime in the past, I used to be one thing of an athlete myself — once I was a little bit lady I did a little bit little bit of rhythmic gymnastics. In the course of the Athens 2004 Olympics, I keep in mind sitting in entrance of the TV in awe for limitless hours to look at each efficiency of rhythmic gymnastics, with Russia’s two athletes profitable each gold and silver medals.
To at the present time, I nonetheless take pleasure in very a lot watching all types of gymnastics — I did take pleasure in each second of Simone Biles’s performances, profitable a bunch of medals in Paris 2024 Olympics. However, what didn’t ring a bell then, however does now, is how widespread it’s to see wealthy and highly effective nations profitable a ton of medals in such sports activities occasions. It’s actually shocking when an athlete from a not-so-well-off nation makes it to the medal podium. Assume as an example of Algeria’s Imane Khelif in boxing, or Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem in javelin throwing, each profitable gold medals of their sports activities in a slightly sudden flip of occasions.
Is that this all it takes to win an Olympic medal — being born in a rich and highly effective nation? Most undoubtedly not — it definitely takes quite a lot of effort, dedication, ache, sacrificing, and…
