Monday 13 August 2012
It's Not That Bad, Australia
Just for my Aussie readers, I've done a little bit of basic maths, 'cos I know how much it must hurt to be "beaten" by the Mother Country at the last two summer Olympics.
Using the font of all knowledge that is Wikipedia I've compared the last 4 games, that's Sydney in 2000 through to the most recent and looked at the final medal tables to produce some simple averages. Here's what I found, assuming my maths/Excel skills are up to scratch :
Country Av. Gold Av. Silver Av. Bronze Av. Position
Australia 13.50 18.00 15.75 6.00
Great Britain 17.00 12.75 12.75 6.75
Bet you don't feel quite so bad now? LOL
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4 comments:
How about using your maths/excel skills to calculate the relationship between population and medals won over the last 4 games.
Australia has some 22 million people, Great Britain must be nearly 60 million now unless many have left to escape the miserable weather over the last few years.
I rather thought my admittedly crude maths exercise demonstrated that Australia's Olympic efforts were pretty good. At least by this measure you averaged a higher final position than Great Britain.
Interestingly before the games there was a piece on BBC Radio 4 explaining the link between population size coupled with Gross Domestic Product and Olympic success. This is somewhat slewed however by the fact nations tend in invest more in sports when they are hosting, so obviously they do better (eg Australia in 2000 and GB this year). This effect also extends (at least statistically) to the games immediately preceding and and following. So for Australia that would be Atlanta, Sydney and Athens, while for GB that would be Beijing, London and Rio..?
Of course as every 'good' politician knows, if you pick the right numbers and statistics you can just about prove anything and make whatever point you want LOL.
So there are lies, damn lies and statistics!!!
We don't get BBC radio 4, but if the host country gets a boost then we are in for an improvement after Rio seeing as Melbourne is considering a bid for 2024 or 2028!!!!
8 or maybe 12 years before we see an improvement, hope I will be here to see it!!!
2016 could be tough for us Aussies. Might have to renew my English passport. LOL!!!!!!
BBC radio channels are available worldwide via the BBC's website. That includes (I believe) their catch-up/listen again service. Just so you know.
Should I put in a good word with the UK Passport and Identity Agency? Are you of good character? LOL
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