A year from now, some 575 of America’s best will be in Beijing trying to do what American athletes usually do in the Summer Olympics — dominate the medal count.

Only this time, according to USA Today, it won’t be so easy.

China, the home team is the early favorite in the medal count and even second place isn’t assured for the visiting Americans. For this to be published by USA Today is quite, quite remarkable.

Three years ago in Athens, U.S. Olympic officials boldly set a goal of winning 100 medals and ended up leading all countries with 103. No one is making any such predictions for Beijing.

A few weeks ago USOC chairman Peter Ueberroth and chief executive Jim Scherr talked of the U.S. chances?

‘It’s no secret we’re underdogs,’ Scherr said. ‘They’re blowing us out of the water in the gold medal race.’

Scherr was a little more optimistic in a telephone interview, talking about continued strength in swimming, gymnastics and track and field, while at the same time acknowledging the U.S. team will have serious holes in a lot of minor sports. But it’s clear U.S. officials understand that Olympic dominance is a thing of the past.

The U.S has won the medal count in the last three Summer Olympics, and since 1896 it has won 2,194 medals, more than double the old Soviet Union, which is second overall with 1,010 medals.

The early favorite is China, which will likely be the biggest winner of all, using the games to not only show off its economic muscle, but it’s burgeoning athletic muscle. The home team always does well in the Olympics, and the Chinese don’t need that much help.

In major international events last year, China won 43 gold medals to 36 for the U.S. and 34 for Russia. The British Olympic Association took those results and projected that China will top the gold medal table in Beijing with 48, followed by the United States with 37 and Russia with 32.

It suggests the readers get used to seeing some other countries on the medal stand next year.
Source: USA Today