Rio Olympics 2016: The best nations!
by Azadeh Ghavidel |
Rio 2016 Olympics: Which nation will stand tall in the Olympics?
Rio hosts the 31st edition of the Olympics. Besides the global excitement generated by the clash of the biggest super powers in sport in the world, this event is an opportunity for some nations to highlight the importance of talent and training. Imposing their supremacy at the top of most podiums in 2012, the United States will defend their status as best in the world.
Great Britain, the rising power!
The hosts of the last Olympics, Britain conducted a successful competition regarding the organization as well as the result. 3rd in the medals table, ahead of Russia with 29 gold medals. This success underlines the evolution of the British in the international sports scene over the last few years. As a reminder, the UK were stuck in 10th place in 2000 and 2004 before reaching 4th place in the Olympics in 2008. They’ve come along way and it will continue this year on the basis of the excellent results achieved in the Olympics from London. Being considered a real surprise pole position in the British medal table is estimated at [66/1]].
Britain can still count on the Athletics to win some medals. In the women’s athletics, Jessica Ennis Hill is the queen of the Heptathlon with her incredible stamina. She will try to defend her Olympic title won in 2012 on her land. The victory of the British athlete is offered at odds of . Mohamed Farah crushes the competition. strongest at long distances, he is set to run and win the 5,000m and 10,000m where he is regarded as the favourite to bookmakers with odds of . Already the winner of these two disciplines in London, the Briton will give everything to keep his throne!
America, The winning machine!
The beginning of the third millennium marked the American supremacy in the Olympics. 93 medals in 2000, 101 podium appearances in 2004, 110 in 2008 and 103 in 2012 ... nothing can stop the United States, that win on average 100 Olympic medals. The US squad has odds of to take home the most medals in the Rio 2016 Olympics.
One of the most valuable people in the American squad is Michael Phelps who is the most awarded Olympic athlete with 19 medals. He had announced his retirement after setting this record in the 2012 games, but the 31 year old swimmer has returned to the international scene to defend his title. Favourite of bookmakers in the 200m medley 4 and the 100m butterfly the US could leave with more medals than they’ve ever won in the history of the Olympic Games.
China, one serious competitor!
The only team from the former Soviet Union to be able to challenge America is , China. China has a strong group of athletes. They had the ideal opportunity when they hosted the Olympics in 2008. At the end of the festivities, it was the Chinese who took first place with the most medals. Despite America taking a record breaking 110 medals home including 36 gold, the United States only managed to finish second, as China finished with 51 gold medals.
Untouchable for years, the Chinese table tennis players should add plenty of medals to China’s tally. In singles and doubles, the athletes involved have won everything . This allowed China to get 4 gold and 2 silver medals in the 4 rounds of table tennis in 2012. A signifier of the Chinese supremacy in this discipline. Ma Long joined the world ranking at only 14 years old. He has won everything, except Olympic gold. Not phased by his loss in the London Olympics, table tennis. The gold medal is the last piece to the puzzle.
Australia, the surprising outsider!
In 2000, Australia hosted the Olympic Games in Sydney. That date marked the return of the Australians amongst the best sporting nations in the world. With a total return of 58 medals including 16 gold, placing them 4th in the world. This years squad are not at the same level. In 2012 in particular, the land of kangaroos only won 35 medals including 7 gold, which was insufficient to be a legitimate contender for the top 5! Hoping to make up for their short coming in London, Australia are bringing only their best for Rio and intend to regain their winning ways!
The Australian swimming used to be and will be decisive in the success of the nation, but Australia is now very strong in team sports. For their first Olympics, the women's rugby 7’s team are favorites with odds of . The Australians will also be expected to win the Hockey. In London, the women managed to come 4th and the men came 3rd which was particularly disappointing. Now crowned with a title of world champions, the men's team, this time are the favourites of the competition with odds of . The women's team have outsider’s status . Australia will therefore certainly count on the success in the hockey to increase their tally!
