In the spirit of calmer, more reasoned discourse- I hope to start a swimming-related one that nevertheless could get our juices flowing. Namely, let's get out on a real limb (before U.S. trials) & fearlessly predict results of Olympic events. You may choose as many or few to predict as you wish- and in a few months some of us may look very swimming-wise or perhaps foolish.
I will wade into it with the event that has been thrown open by Ian Thorpes poor sense of balance, the mens 400m free:
The winner is Perkins of Australia in close to world-record time.
Supplementary prediction: there will be no American on that podium.
Former Member
Don't let the door hit you in the #$% on the way out! If'n y'all don't like it!!!:D
We are kind of stuck up ain't we? Guess that's what happens when you're the best;) :D ;) :D
I'm synchronizing with Beth...
U S A! U S A! U S A! U S A!:p
It is true that the US is tops in swimming. Why? (AND) There are so many other sports to play herewhere you can earn a living, the best US athletes have NO desire to be swimmers. I can't come up with a reasonable answer. Priviliged US children learn to swim earlier?
Originally posted by mark_varney47
Hmmm do I detect a pro-USA viewpoint here folks.
I'm shocked and appalled to find a pro-USA sentiment on a USMS discussion board. ;)
Originally posted by mark_varney47
Hmmm do I detect a pro-USA viewpoint here folks.How about Great Britain?How many gold medals?I say three.
Mark
OK.
Name them.
Originally posted by mark_varney47
Hmmm do I detect a pro-USA viewpoint here folks.How about Great Britain?How many gold medals?I say three.
Mark
We can't help it if the US is the best!!!!:D
Mark
On a population based scale, ignoring the late bloomer factor,
The Bahamas rules with 6.7 Olympic medals per million people(1 gold, 1 silver, 297,00 people), followed by Barbados 3.6 MpM, Iceland 3.5 MpM and Australia with 2.9 MpM.
Britain (0.46) and the USA (0.34) are in the middle of the pack and India comes in last with 1 bronze for 1 Billion+ people.
Just out of pure interest,how would Olympic medals tables look if they were adjusted for the size of the countries that won medals.For example,if a country with 1/2 the population of USA won 6 golds and USA won 10 golds then the smaller country winning 6 golds would appear higher in the table.:cool:
Oh my goodness, on another thread we debate the Thorpe Saga, will he or won't he, should he or shouldn't he...but what about my prediction in the 400m free? I'm out on this long limb...should I withdraw it on a technicality if Thorpe swims or be brave, be bold, be very un-Canadian and YES! I will stick with it, Hackett will win whether or not Thorpedo launches himself into the event despite the withering scorn being directed his way.
Of course, I could be wrong....
