Counting Olympic medals. Fair?

Last time I looked the USA and China were running neck and neck in total Olympic medals won, with China several ahead in "golds". Any athlete winning "silver" or "bronze" should rightfully feel proud as well, because being 2nd or 3rd best in the world at ANYTHING is quite an accomplishment. But let's be brutally honest. Like horse races or the recently concluded Tour de France, those that "place" and "show" are quickly forgotten. Quick, who was the runner-up in this year's Indy or Daytona 500? See what I mean?

Thing is, the medal count is skewed in a way.

China and the USA are both very formidable nations which go about backing their Olympic teams in different ways. Yet they have similarities. For example, the best gymnasts likely all train in the same top-notch facility, with the best coaches, as do the swimmers and divers in an equally impressive facility of their own. As countries with so many athletes to choose from, and commitments to make them the "best they can be", it should come as no surprise that China and the USA are slugging it out for the most Olympic medals.

But we forget about one thing. The former Soviet Union. Not that long ago, the USSR was dominant in winning Olympic medals. Obviously, the USSR no longer exists and that region of the world has undergone major political and geographical changes in the last couple decades. They are no longer "united" as the Chinese and Americans are. Here's an analogy to consider ---

Ukraine now competes in the Olympics as a separate entity. What if California, and every American athlete that hailed from there, had to compete under a different flag as well? The former Soviet Republic of Georgia is much the same way. Take away Florida from the US team and I suspect it would get a little weaker. All the "Stans" that were formerly part of the USSR are now on their own. Compare them to what used to be the "confederate" states in the USA, and delete them as well.

Then throw in the fact that all the above would no longer fall under the umbrella of the once "national" team, and would have to provide their own separate athletes, equipment, training facilities, and coaches. Perhaps whatever was left of the former USA team could be renamed America, much like what Russia has experienced of late. If the USA fractured like what became of the USSR, it would likely not find itself on the leader board of Olympic medals either.

It all depends on how one looks at it.

As for the USA vs China? There's no way the Chinese can offer decent competition in beach volleyball.

But if they bring on the ping-pong tables..... look out.