A Curiosity

[SunBat]

If anyone has already mentioned this I apologize. In the Olympics, they always post the medal count. The big competition (until today) is between the US and China.

The Chinese are great competitors as are the other counties and I am not detracting from that at all. But what is the real medal count?  It seems that many medals won by other countries, especially Central and South American and West African, are competitors that have lived in, and trained in the US most of their lives but choose to compete for their roots rather than the US.

What would the real medal count be if these ppl competed for the country that truly made them great?

[Guppy35]

I'm afraid that Nike would come in first.

[SunBat]

I'm afraid that Nike would come in first.

A good point, actually.  However, at the risk of becoming slightly political, is it not the industry of the US that had made the country?  Nike is a US company. Nike is the US.

[JimmyC]

passses you a flag to wave...have fun

your doin fine in the medals, chillax...

 colonials..

have a pie and settle down

The Olympics have been out standing !

[Ardy123]

A good point, actually.  However, at the risk of becoming slightly political, is it not the industry of the US that had made the country?  Nike is a US company. Nike is the US.

Yes, but one must think more global... ie. Nike is a US company, who utilizes China's manufacturing base to produce the products while utilizing the USA's engineering and creative/design base to design the product, all the while utilizing resources extracted from all parts of the world (rubber from South America, oil from the middle east, etc...).

So while Nike is based in the USA, it is dependent on cooperation from all over the world, making it a global product. Also, realize that like many multi-national corporations, much of Nike's global earnings are not repatriated.

[SunBat]

Don't let all that muddy the waters for u Ardy. Nike is American and therefore awesome.

[SuperDud]

Don't let all that muddy the waters for u Ardy. Nike is American and therefore awesome.

So long as all the other countries think this. If not, we'll shove it down your throat till you do.

[Nathan60]

I think alot of them compete for thier roots as there only soi many slots available on the US team.

[JunkyII]

I think alot of them compete for thier roots as there only soi many slots available on the US team.

This

[LCADolby]

I think alot of them compete for thier roots as there only soi many slots available on the US team.

Or because they still have a love for their native country / patriotism.

[Nathan60]

Or because they still have a love for their native country / patriotism.

Yeah bound to be some of that.

[hyzer]

Don't think country, think coach.  Every country is importing the best coaches, no matter where from, in the sport they want to win.

[Rob52240]

Because we all like to feel in touch with our roots.

It's the same reason that Americans of Italian descent go to hollywood to make mafia movies.

The same reason that the founders didn't demand a new language to replace Inglish.

And the same reason that I leave the lights on in town when Zach or the Few are trying to save its airfield.

It's just human nature to want to do our ancestors proud.  I've noticed that every other American I've known who knows about their own heritage is proud of their heritage.  Well except from those who's families immigrated from Belgium.

[Nathan60]

I touch my root ALOT But I never think of my ancestors while doing so

[eagl]

Or because they still have a love for their native country / patriotism.

Like that "American" runner who carried both the US and Mexican flag on his victory lap.  I think he's really Mexican and just chooses to live in the US for convenience.  Nothing wrong with being Mexican but he doesn't seem to want to be American, really.