Staying On Top the Medal Table

      Before we congratulate ourselves for the U.S. Olympic team landing atop the medal count, it is time to reflect on how long we can continue to rely on Swimming (not including Diving) and Track and Field to keep us there.  Those two sports accounted for 25 of the 46 Gold Medals by U.S. athletes and 70 of the 104 total medals.  That cannot continue.  In swimming, nine other countries won medals.  Former powers Netherlands and Australia were stung by their poor showing and vow to improve.  Germany, once the dominant country in swimming, won nary a medal.  France’s victory in the 4 x 100 men’s relay may portend the future; as does the victory of a young South African in the 200 Butterfly.

     In Track and Field, Kenya, Morocco, Algeria, and Ethiopia continue to turn out middle and long distance runners by the horde.  While U.S. men came up with surprising Silver in 10,000 meter race with Galen Rupp and just missed medaling in the 5000 with Bernard Legat (close 4^th), the middle distances are still dominated by North Africans.  Jamaica and Trinidad own the sprints.  The U.S. had to settle for Silver in both relay races, which has not happened very often.  The U.S. men contributed but three Golds.  The women doubled that with six.  Winning nine of the 34 total Gold Medal events more than any other country, but it has been a continuous decline for the U.S. in track and field.

     So, if the U.S. can no longer dominate Track and Field and Swimming, where will we turn to stay on top the medal table?  Here are some suggestions –- Rowing, Canoe Sprint, Track Cycling, and Fencing.  There are 46 possible Gold medals in those sports; the U.S. claimed only one Gold and two Silver.

     Sarasota, Florida, may have something to say about the 2016 Olympics with its new, international class rowing facility and two competitive rowing clubs.  It’s time to get serious and produce some Olympians for Rowing and Sprint Canoeing.  There are 26 Gold medals available in those two sports and a total of 78 medals.

      Other countries are not treading water.  Great Britain, flushed with exceptional success, already has committed the same level of funding for the next four years and the Rio Olympics.  Germany, stung by its poor showing in London, is committing more funding for its national sports program.  The U.S. may have to do likewise or fall off the top rung.  Here’s a thought.  Why not make competitive sports part of the healthy children program?  Eating correctly certainly is necessary, but so is exercise.  We seem to moving in the opposite direction with school boards forced to cut interscholastic sports programs.

Out of 14 events, U.S. rowers claimed one Gold and 2 Silver

In track cycle, the U.S. had 2 Silver in 10 events