Analysing 30 years of Olympic Games medals distribution and national wealth indicators
A lifetime ago, I used to be something of an athlete myself — after I was a bit of girl I did a bit of little bit of rhythmic gymnastics. In the course of the Athens 2004 Olympics, I remember sitting in front of the TV in awe for countless hours to look at every performance of rhythmic gymnastics, with Russia’s two athletes winning each gold and silver medals.
To at the present time, I still enjoy very much watching every kind of gymnastics — I did enjoy every second of Simone Biles’s performances, winning a bunch of medals in Paris 2024 Olympics. Nevertheless, what didn’t ring a bell then, but does now, is how common it’s to see wealthy and powerful countries winning a ton of medals in such sports events. It is de facto surprising when an athlete from a not-so-well-off country makes it to the medal podium. Think as an illustration of Algeria’s Imane Khelif in boxing, or Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem in javelin throwing, each winning gold medals of their sports in a relatively unexpected turn of events.
Is that this all it takes to win an Olympic medal — being born in a wealthy and powerful country? Most definitely not — it definitely takes numerous effort, dedication, pain, sacrificing, and…
