In the contemporary world, all sports lovers are sure about one thing when it comes to Olympic games; The ultimate battle is only between two countries China and USA to top the overall leader board of medals. But there are certain reasons behind this ultimate domination of USA and China at Olympics.
Reasons for the domination of China at Olympics
China and USA are seen as the top contender these days for leading the medal table at Olympics but the reason for their utter dominance are nowhere near similar to one another. China follows a top-down approach when it comes to nurturing its talent for the mega event where as USA and almost the rest of the countries follow a bottom-up approach. In latter, the athletes have to prove themselves by competing on different levels, from bottom to gradually moving toward the national ones. On the other hand, in top-down approach, as it if done in China, the kids at their early age are identified for the strength they have for a particular sport and selected to undergo training. It is a peculiarly designed program by the Chinese government and humongous funds are allocated to it.
Chinese athletes are known for their round the year structured training and the amount of hard work they put into the sports. The training cycle for athletes vary around the globe as in some countries a specific rest period is allocated but this is not the case in China. The athletes are made to practice their skills all the year till they gain impeccable ability in what they do. Due the immense funding released by the government, the best coaches from all over the world are given incentives to provide their expertise for the Chinese athletes which has depicted remarkably at the medal table recently.
Chinese athletes invest their time and energy solely to make themselves perfect to represent their country at Olympics as it is matter of pride for them and for their families. Also, the players are rewarded big times, as much as $200,000, for winning a gold medal at Olympics which for many athletes is way more than their entire family makes in a year.
Leading the world in sports over all, is the matter of pride for China as it would be for any other country. This is the reason why they invest so much on their Olympic program and which pay off evidently.
Reasons for the domination of U.S.A at Olympics
The most significant reason is that sports is deeply embedded in the culture of America. It is one of the integral part of their way of living. Throughout the country where ever you go, no matter how small a community is, you will find basketball courts, football (Rugby) fields etc. Even the US prisons have a vast area which has these courts and open air gyms. This is the way people there like to keep themselves happy and healthy; through sports. People not only like to play but also watch the sport with enthusiasm. Every culture has its way of community integration, US culture has sports.
Secondly, in USA, sports and education are complimentary to each other. From junior to high school, there are playing fields and courts where students are made to take part in active sports and inter-school competitions are organized frequently witnessing a large number of spectators including parents and folks of students. Students who are good at certain sports are appreciated equally, if not more, than the students who score good grades. As the students move toward higher education, the sports facilities keep getting better and better. Majority of the US colleges, or universities as they are known in Pakistan, have state of the art facilities which a lot of third world countries wish to have at their state level. Unlike Pakistani students, who are crushed under the academic burden at undergraduate and graduate level, most of the student in US take part in active sports. This is the reason they are not only able to produce great minds in terms of innovation but also have a dense pool of athletes to pick up for representing the country at Olympics. Understanding the significance of sports along with education, utilizing it as a mode of cultural integration and ultra-modern infrastructure, which definitely includes world-class coaches, is what has made USA almost invincible at greatest level of competition.
NOTE: This is an excerpt from my original blog which I had written for my website YoungVersity.com, if you are from USA or China and you think that there is some misinformation or if you want to add something about the topic please share openly in the comments. I will definitely update the content of my original blog as well based on your suggestions.