2024-08-01 02:09:38
(ANSA) – PARIS, JULY 31 – They have just started, and by definition the medal table evolves minute by minute like the old scoreboard of the world stock exchanges: but the Olympics already offer, by reading the podiums, indications of the state of health of sport in all corners of the planet. At present, it is obvious that the quality of the athletes is moving more and more towards the East, a bit like the economy. And again as with the indicators of economic growth, Africa is struggling, clearly detached from the rest of the world. Halfway through the fifth official day of competition (before the opening ceremony the program reserves only a few qualifications) with seven golds, Japan and China are in the lead. Third is the host France, fourth is Great Britain, then it’s back to veering towards the East, with Australia and South Korea. And the USA? With four first places, so far they are only seventh, not yet taken off towards the predicted first place finish. Italy is in the G8, eighth: a position in line with expectations. And, while waiting for athletics, especially middle distance, it should be noted that in the first ten places there is no African country (only 14th is South Africa with a gold): a sign that winning medals in other Olympic sports in that continent has not yet become “normal”. Speaking of Japan, particularly lively in the medal table: the previous Olympics were held in the Land of the Rising Sun, the Japanese finished in third place, behind the USA and China. This tail end of a winning streak is now a habit: it had already happened in Rio 2016 with the British, who, after London 2012, won a large number of medals (67) even finishing in second place, after the USA and ahead of China: it is clear that organizing the Games, investing resources in Olympic preparation, bears fruit and medals especially in the following years. If it weren’t for the Italian girls with the golden sword at the Grand Palais, in reality, France would be leading the medal table at the moment, with six golds, nine silvers and five bronzes (for a total of 20, second only to the 26 of the USA) and which is driving the thousands of French who are filling all the facilities of the Games crazy with joy. For the hosts, the goal is to climb onto one of the three steps of the podium of the general medal table, where instead the absence of the USA and China would be a resounding surprise. For Italy, the geography of the 12 current podiums (three golds, five silvers and four bronzes in swimming, fencing, rowing, gymnastics, cycling, shooting) confirms widespread competitiveness. And the sights are already set on 40, meaning the number of medals won in the incredible summer of 2021, when the Italians took home a record 10 golds, 10 silvers and 20 bronzes. Hitting the “40” target again would already be excellent: any kind of improvement would make the adventure in Paris 2024 extraordinary. (ANSA).
2024-08-01 02:09:38