The Weight of Gold
Day 9: Does How We Sort the Medal Table Matter?
There are 329 Medal Events at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and though only 113 of those Golds have been awarded so far, we are halfway through the Games so now seems like a good time to check in on the medal count. That should be easy, right?
Not so fast! While the actual numbers of Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals won by each country isnât in dispute, the way to tally the totals certainly is. Check the Olympicsâ official website, and youâll see China ranked on top based on their 13 Gold Medals. But click over to NBCâs Olympics site, and there is Team USA comfortably ahead with 43 total medals to Franceâs 36. So whoâs right?
Short answer: Both. And Neither. The Olympic Charter specifically states that the âGames are competitions between athletes⊠and not between countriesâ (emphasis added). In 2008 IOC President Jacques Rogge basically shrugged at the fact that some countries choose Gold and some choose total, saying âeach country will highlight what suits it best. We take no position on that." Some choose even more esoteric ranking methods to achieve the desired result. You can even choose your own method with a cool Nw York Times interactive.
But no matter how you sort your metal, some things are indisputable: host Franceâs resurgent success, Team USAâs underperformance in the pool, or the predictably silly discourse over how to rank the tables.
What To Watch Today
(All times Eastern. Full event relays available on-demand on Peacock)
The Judo tournament and Rowing regatta end, Team USA goes for Gold and Bronze in Menâs Doubles Tennis, and we are finally (fingers crossed) getting the Surfing Medal matches.
3:00 am - Golf: Men's Round 3 đșđž
3:30 am - Rowing: Women's Single Sculls, Men's Single Sculls, Women's and Menâs Eight Finals đșđž đ„đ„đ„đ„
3:30 am - Shooting: 25m Pistol Women's Final đ„
4:05 am - Athletics: Menâs Decathlon 110m Hurdles, Discus, and Pole Vault; Men's Pole Vault Qualis, Men's 100m Round 1
5:00 am - Cycling: Men's Road Race đșđž đ„
6:00 am - Tennis: Womenâs Singles and Menâs Doubles Gold Matches đșđž đ„
8:00 am - Equestrian: Jumping Team Final đ„
8:30 am - Table Tennis: Women's Singles Gold Medal Match đ„
8:33 am - Archery: Women's Individual Medal Matches đ„
9:00 am - Soccer: Women's Quarter-final, USA vs Japan đșđž
9:00 am - Badminton: Women's Doubles Finals đ„
9:30 am - Gymnastics: Men's Floor Exercise Final đ„
9:30 am - Canoe Slalom: Women's and Menâs Kayak Cross Round 1 đșđž
9:30 am - Shooting: Skeet Men's Final đ„
10:00 am - Judo: Mixed Team Medal Matches đ„
10:20 am - Gymnastics: Women's Vault Final đșđž đđ„
11:15 am - Basketball: Menâs Pool Round, USA vs Puerto Rico đșđž
11:16 am - Gymnastics: Men's Pommel Horse Final đșđž đ đ„
1:30 pm - Fencing: Women's Sabre Team Medal Matches đșđž đ„
1:05 pm - 3v3 Basketball: Womenâs Pool Round, USA vs China đșđž
1:10 pm - Athletics: Menâs Decathlon Javelin and 1500m; Men's Shot Put, Women's Triple Jump, 4 x 400m Relay Mixed, and Women's 100m Finals đșđž đ„đ„đ„đ„đ„
2:30 pm - Swimming: Men's 100m Butterfly, Women's 200m IM, Women's 800m Freestyle, and Mixed 4 x 100m Medley Relay Finals đșđž đ„đ„đ„đ„
3:24 pm - Surfing: Menâs and Womenâs Medal Matches (rescheduled, I hope) đșđž đ„đ„
In Other Olympic NewsâŠ
Have you seen the hardcore, hi-tech Shooting uniforms?
The Olympic Spirit prevails on the track.
Because of course Tom Cruise has to make an appearance in Paris!
Donât worry, The Times is on it. (h/t NYTOnIt)
Photo of the Day
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The images you add towards the send of the article are beautiful and pretty informative I should say.