- US news channels frustrate sports fans worldwide
- US has a different method for reporting medal counts
American news organizations have been ridiculed around the world for their inaccurate reporting of the medal results at the Paris Olympics.
Apparently they are afraid of being overthrown by countries like China, as reported by media outlets such as the New York Times And NBC bizarrely publish tables showing the US crushing the medal tally on the third day of action in France.
Traditionally, the country with the most gold is the leader in medals at the Games. But that’s not what the Americans think.
On Tuesday morning Australian time, Japan set the benchmark with six gold medals, ahead of France, China, Australia and South Korea, which all took five.
Team USA is in sixth place with three gold medals, eight silver and nine bronze, for a total of 20.
Many sports fans will remember the American media clinging to the total number of medals won at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, as China threatened to win more gold than the US.
The US is also the only major sports nation that bases its count on total medals. During major sporting events, the country is criticized for reporting differently than the rest of the world media.
It is a tactic that frustrates many athletes and only increases the tension between Australia and the US in the pool for the Paris Games.
American news outlets have published a medal count showing the US leading the field, despite the fact that other countries won more gold medals in Paris (pictured is Australian Ariarne Titmus after beating American swimmer Katie Ledecky in the 400-meter freestyle final)
Australia currently has more gold medals than the US, but you wouldn’t think so based on the numbers kept by the US media (pictured is Australian swimmer Molly O’Callaghan after winning the 200m freestyle final).
Based on the number of gold medals won after the third day of competition, the US is not in the top five (pictured)
The fuse was lit after US media again referred to the total number of medals won at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships.
After the sixth day of racing, the Australians had won 10 gold medals, compared to just three for the American team.
It prompted recently retired Australian swimming legend Cate Campbell to express her frustration over the U.S. team ringing a cowbell whenever one of their swimmers prepared for a race.
She later also came to the attention of American swimming legend Michael Phelps, who said he would personally use Campbell’s fiery comments as a source of “daily inspiration” if he were to compete again.
“It’s one thing for Australia to reach the top of the world, but it’s even better to beat America,” Campbell, a four-time Olympic athlete, said last year.
“The first night of competition, we didn’t have to hear the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ blaring through the stadium. I can’t tell you how happy that made me.
“If I hear that song one more time, it’ll be too soon. ‘Bring on Paris. That’s all I have to say to the US. Stop being sore losers.’
Campbell was then, predictably, attacked on social media after failing to qualify for Paris.