Troy Williams

Economic Development and International Politics

INAF 100-14

QuestionQuestion

What are the strongest determinants of the success and

participation of nations in the Olympics?

DeterminantsDeterminants

GDP per CapitaHosting NationPolitical System (Communism)

HypothesisHypothesis

Nations possessing the greatest of the following attributes

encourage greater success and participation of nations.

Method of MeasurementMethod of MeasurementSuccess and participation will be

measured in the number of medals earned

Special rank is given to each medal

Gold = 3Silver = 2

Bronze = 1

3(G) + 2(S) + B = Success

ExamplesExamplesWe will examine the past three

summer Olympics and compare the top contenders (US, Russia, China, Australia, and Germany)

Examine the possible effects of the determinants

Most Successful NationsMost Successful Nations

Countries # of Gold Medals

# of Silver Medals

# of Bronze Medals

# of Total Medals

United States

36 24 31 91

Russia 32 28 28 88China 28 16 15 59Australia 16 25 17 58Germany 13 17 26 56France 13 14 11 38Italy 13 8 13 34Cuba 11 11 7 29Britain 11 10 7 28South Korea

8 10 10 28

Top 5Top 5

Most Successful NationsMost Successful Nations

Countries # of Gold Medals

# of Silver Medals

# of Bronze Medals

# of Total Medals

United States

36 39 27 102

Russia 27 27 38 92China 32 17 14 63Australia 17 16 16 49Germany 13 16 20 49Japan 16 9 12 37France 11 9 13 33Italy 10 11 11 32South Korea

9 12 9 30

Britain 9 9 12 30

Top 5Top 5

Most Successful NationsMost Successful Nations

Countries # of Gold Medals

# of Silver Medals

# of Bronze Medals

# of Total Medals

United States

36 38 36 110

China 51 21 28 100Russia 23 21 28 72Britain 19 13 15 47Australia 14 15 17 46Germany 16 10 15 41France 7 16 17 40South Korea

13 10 8 31

Italy 8 10 10 28Ukraine 7 5 15 27

Top 5Top 5

GDP per CapitaGDP per Capita2000 2004 2008

United States $35,081 $40,309 $46,971Russia $1,775 $4,109 $11,700China $949 $1,490 $3,414Australia $21,768 $30,569 $48,348Germany $23,114 $33,369 $44,264

What’s going on with China and Russia?

Minimal income countered by population

This creates a more effective distribution of fixed cost

Large Population Smaller Population

+ Smaller GDP per Capita = + Larger GDP per Capita

Russia & China?Russia & China?

Population of China: 1.3 billion Population of Russia: 141 million

CommunismCommunismEffects Russia and China?

Communism appears to be a positive factor in Olympic success

Fall of the Soviet Union=Fall of Russian Olympic Success

Communism or the lack Communism or the lack thereof?thereof?

““Home Nation” TheoryHome Nation” Theory

When most nations host the Olympics there is a great growth in “success”

Home-Court Advantage?Home-Court Advantage?

Remember…Remember…

Wealth is Powerful

Communism Plays A Large Role

“Home-Court Advantage” exist

Thank YouThank You