Aug 19 2008
Per Capita We Win
Its all Olympics at the moment so I may as well live them.
Today’s discussion pits us against the rest of the world in a per capita showdown. I am sick and tired of us Aussies being mentioned as…..
Per capita the fattest on the planet.
Per capita the highest carbon users
Per capita the most bevans
It’s about time we talked about the per capita best country in the sporting world.
With one medal for every 4.6 million the USA is not so special
With one medal for every 21.7 million China is not so special
With one medal for every 4.5 million Russia is not so special
With one medal for every 2.3 million the UK is not so special
What about Australia with a medal for every 636,000 people.
Hoooray finally a per capita average we can be proud of. In you face rest of the world losers!!!!!
Another thing I appreciate is the way the US keep track of the medal tally all of a sudden.
It is pretty standard practice that the overall medal leader is the country with the most gold medals. Ties are decided on a count back of silver and bronze medals. This is the method that has been in use in my memory of the Olympics anyway.
Well not anymore, the Americans have decided to upgrade their medal tally and have gone with a new system that makes the Olympic medal leader the country with the most medals overall….. and surprise, surprise guess who wins on that basis?
On this basis I propose that the medal tally should be recorded on a participating country per capita basis. If it’s good enough for the Americans to standardize on a new system to slant the results in their favour its good enough for us.
I like what you have done here. Basic marketing 101 you have taken something that doesn’t seem so impressive and worded it in such a way that it sounds better. Like those funeral companies selling the ‘peice of mind’ that your funeral costs are all taken care of for the cost of only a ‘cup of coffee’ per day.
Doesn’t change the fact that Australia will never compete on the world sporting stage.
I’d like to understand your definition of ‘compete’ Rob B. Last I saw (and yes I know it changes a few times day) Australia was third on the medal list. Surely that is ‘competing’, or does that apply only to the country that sits at #1??
I would also like to draw your attention to some of the following stats:
- We have had 2 men ranked #1 in the world tennis rankings in the last 10 years, both of whom won multiple grand slams (Pat Rafter & Lleyton Hewitt).
- Greg Norman dominated world golf during the 80s and early 90s, and 5 Aussies have won majors in the 15 years. Can anyone outside of the US compete with that? We can also claim one of the most dominant female players of her generation in Karrie Webb, and have the current (once again, last time I looked) World #3 ranked male player in Adam Scott.
- Australia is home to 7 times world surfing champion Layne Beachley.
- Whilst I realise that Cricket is played by a limited # of countries, I would classify England, Pakistan and India as major nations with far higher populations and our record against them speaks for itself.
- Wayne Gardner, Mick Doohan and Casey Stoner have all dominated world motorbike racing. We also have a pretty handy Formula 1 driver who is the #1 driver for his particular team.
- Whilst Rugby Union is also limited to some degree in terms of the nations that participate, our record, particularly in World Cups is excellent. No nation has won more times than us, and we have won it more times than the mighty All Blacks.
- Our Netballers are the current world champions, as are our Rugby League team.
- Emma Snowsill is the current World & Olympic Champion Triathlete.
- Australia’s women’s basketball team is currently ranked #2 in the world and won the world championship in 2006. They can also claim the player regarded as the best in the world in Lauren Jackson.
- Anthony Mundine is a multiple world boxing champion (yes I’ll even claim that idiot if it supports my point), and Jeff Fenech dominated his weight division for years.
I’m sure the list continues, but I’ve made my point. We are exceptionally competitive on the world stage in many sports, regardless of the per capita argument. And yes, I know the list contains some sports not played by all countries, but unfortunately that is the nature of world sport. It also includes a number of sports played by major world sporting powers, in which we are very competitive.
The metric you need to look at is sports funding $’s per capita.
I am not sure how you can say we don’t compete on the world stage in sports there Rob. I would say pound for pound we hold our own and as Fat Simon thoroughly explains in a vast range of sports Australia is very competitive.
Tiger I agree, this would be interesting to look at. Where can I get these dollar figures for Australia? from the budget perhaps? Even more difficult where can I get them for other countries? Thoughts?
I think you make a valid point too Tiger (you knob). It would be very interesting to see any correlation between $ invested versus medals won.
Good to see you are a thinker Fat Pieman…albiet after someone else has thought it……..think about that………
SJ google it or use Wikipedia, aren’t these your usual sources.
I believe the UK invested 400 million pounds extra for this olympics but not sure what the base was.
SJ, a sensible & topical subject which should draw interest from a broader audience than the usual bevansarus crowd that you generally attract. Nice improvement. Keep it up please.
Australia is certainly a strong sporting nation. Good to see the Fat One actually expressing a degree of knowledge on a subject! He made his point fairly well.
Rob Boring, in the one paragraph, you have managed to highlight the fact that you have absolutely no knowledge on at least 2 topics and that your spelling is atrocious. Impressive!
Tigress, you have brought up a very interesting point. Investment, both corporate & government funded, has a very significant impact on sporting success. This is something generally overlooked by bevans. Are you a deep-thinker or did picture magazine do an article on sports funding? (LOL for the Fat Pieman dig by the way.)
Crouching one, occasionally I enjoy your comments. Whilst they are rarely funny, they are at least putting crap on people I know. That I applaud. However by suggesting that the Fat One knows something about sport does not improve your status in my mind! He knows nothing about sport & in fact supports the Eels, NSW & England! By the way you’re incorrect about tigress. He doesn’t buy picture magazine. His wife won’t let him.
PS: Jamaicans can sprint the game.
If you run a per capita of Queenslander gold medals to population you will find that it is even more impressive. Queensland on its own is still in the top 10 of the medal count. We should have partitioned Qld off years ago we would be much better off
http://www.queenslanderforever.com.qld
Megabevan, my comments are not designed to be humorous you halfwitted bevan loser! They are designed to challenge your kind to see what losers you are & to step out of those comfort zones to strive for a better life!!
Woodless, I knew it was only a matter of time before 1 of you rednecks brought that little fact up. It is true.
I will pose this question to the group; should some of the exorbitant level of funding directed to sports in Australia be instead used to find a cure for cancer or to stop bullying in school etc?
…..to stop bullying in school………..are you for real, don’t get me started on all this pansy bullying stuff. I bullied and got bullied by others (believe it or not) and it was nothing but a positive growth experience.
I’m all for bullying…especially as most of the people that bullied me now earn half of what I do a year and/or are in jail.
What about bullying in cyberspace by nerdy IT folk pretending to be billionaire business men lawyers……..now that needs to be stopped.
I agree about your thoughts on spending the money elsewhere and your thoughts on bullying are right on. Their needs to be some money spent to end this bullying thing as it is much worse now than it ever has been
IASM, are you sure you haven’t met Megaman? Your description is eerily accurate!
Rob B, I’ve tried not to join IASM and Reeeegitz in bagging you too much, but you’re making it almost impossible for me now. Whilst as a parent I obviously don’t want to see my kids get bullied, I’m with Tiger on this one. Provided it’s not too serious I think it builds character, and given the way kids are handed everything on a platter these days, & encouraged not to keep score at sports etc (yeah, lets breed a generation based upon acceptance of mediocrity), I think they need to be toughened up a bit. God knows they’ll get a big shock once they get out into the real world otherwise. Life is tough Rob B so get used to it and prepare your kids for it rather than whinging about them getting teased a bit at school!!
I’m more than happy to entertain the need for other areas to receive increased funding, but why is it that the nerds always call for it to come from sport? Sport has played a huge role in the history of this country and continues to provide healthy entertainment for a huge number of people. Perhaps the massive budget surplusses we see each year could be put to a use other than a political “look how good we are” tool…..
Tigress (Knob to his bevan friends,) your statements around bullying are nonsensical & provide a contradiction in terms! What I do is NOT bullying, it is constructive & motivational! I would never bully anyone.
Rob Boring, give yourself a star today.
Fat Pieman, you don’t need to have the deductive powers of Sherlock Holmes to work you lot out. I remember being very much on the money with my estimations of you as well on previous posts. Although I have since realized that you are less intelligent than I had assumed at 1st. You probably didn’t complete year 8 as I originally had thought. Your rhetoric regarding bullying & junior sports development is that of an ill-informed uneducated imbecile! The fact that you are actually a parent is staggering & concerning! “……sport has played a huge role in the history of this country…. ” What does that mean you idiot?!
I think he means, that watching sport on the telly has taught us how to be beer swilling idiots on a Saturday afternoon. But not you Crouching one, you would be to busy building your business empire, Infact I am surprised that you have time to come and comment here. Give me some insight, how does one become so great at everything like you? I am still waiting for you to explain how being in debt is better than not being in debt! Explain to me how a bank can offer a service like credit cards then not expect to make any money out of it? So if they are making money out of it, then who is paying? Get back to me when you have some answers.
If you had the mental flexibility to think in terms other than just dollars and cents IASM, you would understand that the Australian culture is built on a number of foundation stones, one of which is a love of a variety of sports (perhaps developed due to the climate and open spaces available to us and our competitive spirit). Others would include the laid back approach to life, a sense of humor, a very strong sense of mateship etc, etc, etc….I would’ve explained this in my previous post but I had forgotten that you’re an intellectual cripple with no comprehension of culture.
You don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to work you out either IASM. It’s pretty clear that you’ve ensured a long history of being picked upon by almost anyone who comes into contact with you, hence your opinions on bullying. Perhaps if you had a little intestinal fortitude to go with your enormous ego, you’d have been able to cope with it a little better rather than sooking about it on a website. The irony of this whole thing is how close to the mark Tiger was about you. If you think for a minute that most of what you do on this site is not bullying then you really are a clown. The difference is that the rest of us can take it, as well as dishing it out….Whilst I’m on this, I’d be very interested in your opinions on racism & bullying if you weren’t a chinese nerd living in a western country. You strike me as the type that only finds it offensive if it’s directed at you.
Regarding my ‘rhetoric’…..unlike you I don’t claim to be a leading authority on everything. I was merely stating an opinion based upon experience & observation throughout a life far longer than yours. I’m sure most child psychologists would find my comments disturbing and I’m prepared to admit that they are far more educated on this subject than me. That doesn’t mean I have to agree with them though, and I stand by my statement.
l’ll give credit where it is due Fat One, you put up a good fight, articulate your argument fairly well & stand by your convictions. Surprising for a bevan!!
If everyone can take it, wheres Velcrap, Marteeeny, Wank B etc? Where have they gone if they can take it?
What this? Do I hear the sound of the crouching one giving up easier than a chinese hurdler on a hot summers night????
Defeated by the Fat One too! That’s embarrassing for you!!
Glad you missed me showbag…i’m just back from the olympics where i was able to secure multi billion dollar deals for my import/export company.
I did manage to catch up with some old friends though like Anna Ivanovic and had a great lunch with President Bush. I gave him a few pointers on his golf swing before going out to dinner with a lovely asian family from Sydney i met on the plane.
They said their son was left back in Australia to look after their corner shop. She said he would spend all day and night selling BBQ chickens and hoped to one day manage the store.
Say hi to your mum for me Showbag….you’ll be pleased to know she was quite energetic in the sack. But you probably already knew that
Megabevan, I enjoyed the Liu Xiang reference. Quite clever for a Megabevan! I put the score at about 10 – 1 now between myself & the mighty Fat One. That’s 10 wins to me.
Velcrap, your funniest yet I must admit. I enjoyed it a lot. Ironically my father & sister HAVE actually met Anna Ivanovic.
I did not think my question was real hard IASM, but you seem to be doing your best at ignoring it.
Krusty, I apologise for my tardiness Sir;
“.. how does one become so great at everything like you?” I am not great at everything. I find humility very challenging.
“.. explain how being in debt is better than not being in debt!..” If you can gain a return on your money that is greater than the cost of your borrowings, then you are making a positive return. eg You borrow $1,000,000 from the bank at 8% & you buy a property with that $1,000,000 that returns you 10% after all costs (except interest) then you’re making 2% on that million dollars without doing anything.
“….Explain to me how a bank can offer a service like credit cards then not expect to make any money out of it? So if they are making money out of it, then who is paying?…..” I’m oversimplifying here in line with the audience…The bank makes it’s credit card return from the individuals who don’t pay their credit card debt within the free interest period. (Typically bevans who have no self-control or financial acumen & spend whatever they can.) Shrewd financiers will always pay their credit card debt on the last day of the interest free period because credit card debt usually incurs the highest interest rate of all debt (bar loan sharks.)
Fat Pieman, don’t even try to understand this lesson you fat bevan loser!
so, if I paid cash for the property, what you are saying is that I would make 10% profit, not 2%. In my eyes it seems that paying in cash would be a better option. or am I oversimplifying it?
I’m going to tell you this ONE time you simple f@#*K!
Scenario1; (Dumb Simpleton Bevan Approach) If you had $1,000,000 in the bank you have must have won the lotto & proceed to spending it on gambling, rum & cokes & pimping your ride!
Scenario1; (Improved Dumb Simpleton Bevan Approach) If you had $1,000,000 in the bank you could buy a property & return a profit of $100,000 (ie 10%). Well done.
Scenario 3; (Successful Businessman) If you had $1,000,000 in the bank you could buy the property & return a profit of $100,000 (ie 10%) + borrow another $1,000,000 & make 2% on that. Profit = $120,000. Get it?
Fair point IASM, Velcro and Marteeny do appear to be fair weather sledgers who don’t enjoy being on the receiving end. My apologies if I took a bit of a liberty with that generalisation.
Absolute gold Velcro!!
You don’t need to get all huffy with me. I was just pointing out using your figures that paying in cash you get more return for your money. Which is the whole point of this discussion with you. You did make valid points but in the end you have to pay it back, and you have no control over interest rates which may or may not affect the bottom line. Now it is irrelevant how the money got into the bank, it may have come from rich parents who worked their backside off so that I could go to private school then spend the rest of my days sledging people on websites. The point is that from your own figures you would make more profit from your own money and not have to pay anyone for that privalige. Do you get it you simple F**K
PS: Sorry for the spelling mistake which I am sure you will point out to me.
Forgot to ask IASM, did you get new tyres for the BMW yet? Did you end up getting a no interest loan from Bob Jane T-Marts cause it is better to be in debt than not?
Listen here Krusty, you actually sound like a nice guy & I must acknowledge that you take my sledging better than anyone I’ve encountered across a number of sites. That is impressive! You appear to be a very even tempered soul who takes a lot before he loses control. Admirable qualities indeed. If I remember correctly you actually have an impressive home as well, so maybe you do have a respectable occupation & manage your finances well…… but please do not try to dance with me on serious financial matters. Your understanding is rudimentary at best.
With respect to car tyres, invariably you can broker a cash deal that is better value than the interest free price, which is loaded.
The bell has rung….your lesson is over!
Run home to Mummy now.
By the way I enjoyed the humorous jibe at my expense.
IASM, We have moved from that place in Tasmania, we are now in Canberra. As for work, I have not had a fulltime job for the last 8 years due to a family situation (I have done some part time work) . But now that we live near relatives I decided to get a job two weeks ago which I start on Monday, hopefully the contract gets to me in time. So I will be in the same boat as SJ, not having a whinge about fuel prices. And yest it was a loaded question about tyres. Any of the interest free deals are a scam and should be avoided. In fact the only thing one should go into debt for would be property. I can agree on that. Everything else, you should pay with what you have or don’t buy it. Quite simple.
Glad I gave you laugh. Have a nice day.
PS starting next week I may not be seen as much around here. Hope SJ survives with the loss of income. Found that some of the links in the advertising have been most usefull to my otherwise dull and boring life.