1. Economic Development and International Politics
Troy Williams
Economic Development and International Politics
INAF

2. Question
What are the strongest determinants of the success and participation of nations in the Olympics?

3. Determinants GDP per Capita Hosting Nation
Political System (Communism)

4. Hypothesis
Nations possessing the greatest of the following attributes encourage greater success and participation of nations.

5. Method of Measurement
Success and participation will be measured in the number of medals earned
Special rank is given to each medal
Gold = 3
Silver = 2
Bronze = 1
3(G) + 2(S) + B = Success

6. Examples
We will examine the past three summer Olympics and compare the top contenders (US, Russia, China, Australia, and Germany)
Examine the possible effects of the determinants

7. Most Successful Nations
Countries
# of Gold Medals
# of Silver Medals
# of Bronze Medals
# of Total Medals
United States 36 24 31 91
Russia 32 28 88
China 16 15 59
Australia 25 17 58
Germany 13 26 56
France 14 11 38
Italy 8 34
Cuba 7 29
Britain 10
South Korea

8. Top 5

9. Most Successful Nations
Countries
# of Gold Medals
# of Silver Medals
# of Bronze Medals
# of Total Medals
United States 36 39 27
102
Russia 38 92
China 32 17 14 63
Australia 16 49
Germany 13 20
Japan 9 12 37
France 11 33
Italy 10
South Korea 30
Britain

10. Top 5

11. Most Successful Nations
Countries
# of Gold Medals
# of Silver Medals
# of Bronze Medals
# of Total Medals
United States 36 38
110
China 51 21 28
100
Russia 23 72
Britain 19 13 15 47
Australia 14 17 46
Germany 16 10 41
France 7 40
South Korea 8 31
Italy
Ukraine 5 27

12. Top 5

13. What’s going on with China and Russia?
GDP per Capita
2000
2004
2008
United States
$35,081
$40,309
$46,971
Russia
$1,775
$4,109
$11,700
China
$949
$1,490
$3,414
Australia
$21,768
$30,569
$48,348
Germany
$23,114
$33,369
$44,264
What’s going on with China and Russia?

14. Russia & China? Minimal income countered by population
This creates a more effective distribution of fixed cost
Large Population Smaller Population
+ Smaller GDP per Capita = Larger GDP per Capita
Population of China: 1.3 billion
Population of Russia: 141 million

15. Communism Effects Russia and China?
Communism appears to be a positive factor in Olympic success
Fall of the Soviet Union=Fall of Russian Olympic Success

16. Communism or the lack thereof?

17. “Home Nation” Theory
When most nations host the Olympics there is a great growth in “success”

18. Home-Court Advantage?

19. Remember… Wealth is Powerful Communism Plays A Large Role
“Home-Court Advantage” exist

20. Thank You