@Dr_C “That’s where the “Do a little research” part comes in. It’s a nation without hills that devotes itself mostly to speed skating as far as Olympic events go.” OK, I can take that, with the Dutch I was mistaken. Not like there is a lot of coverage on skiing events or other winter events unless there is a US athlete who has a chance to medal other wise it seem coverage on it is almost non-existent. The only reason ski jump even gets covered is because it is a marquee event and has been around so long, not because it is loaded with Americans or any really comes close to medaling. Who has been able to catch curling? I know I haven’t.
“You made mention of these “European Powers” sucking, either in question form or not the implication is there.” I meant was in events where they usually dominate they seem to be chasing American this time around, not they do not deserve to win or they are not good enough to win but as we have seen with men’s ice skating you can be hot on the circuit and short circuit at the Olympics and totally melt down. Maybe the Swedes and Finns etc don’t spread their athletes over so many competitions as the US or maybe even Canada and that is the reason why they seem so medal shy, I don’t know. But it seem the US athletes are making records and not just being 1st at something but daily medal count.
@LostInParadise I thought about the population factor, that by sheer size the US has more athletes in the pool to draw from so even the 3rd or 4th string would be quite talented. However, Russia and China, even Japan has quite an extensive population so one would think they have as much of an opportunity to dig deep in the talent pool as the US. But the medal count is fact, notwithstanding, show how successful the athletes in a given nation is doing. But if I had to go off numbers I would have to say the Germans have done better pound for pound (seeing their nation and population is less).
@Cruiser I am sure money woes have hit just about every nation’s athletic program. Maybe here in the US corporate sponsors etc have stepped in to fill the gab, but nations like China who seem to be suffering less and have a nationalized program they should have or be able to great equally capable athletes in the events they are in as the US. Aside from select competitions I have not seen them with bust our performances from their athletes.
@Adirondackwannabe “I’ve got to call you on this as well. Don’t badmouth the other athletes. The US has done well, but we also have huge resources invested in the athletes.” Yes, I am glad you mentioned that. I am not badmouthing the other contestants I know many I have had discussions with would, they feel the US should route everyone I guess maybe based off past Olympics I expect more from them than their efforts seem to show this time around. Simon Amman gets 4 medals in Ski jump and it is a huge deal, if the likes of Shani Davis, Anton Ono etc ended up finishing the Games with a single bronze it was an off game or a disastrous one, if they garnered only 2 medals no matter if one is gold they had a sub par Olympics. And I believe there are nations that invest as much in their athletes as the US. They may not have the likes of the US Olympic compound but they have nationalized sports academies or schools where that is basically the kid’s life, so you think by time they got to the Olympics they would be like unbeatable machines.