On a per capita (per person) basis, Grenada could be judged the most successful at the Olympics with the best ratio of medals per person (I per 105,000 people). Jamaica was second with 1 medal per 688,000 people.
Australia finishes 13th. In terms of total medals, Australia finished 13th on a per capita basis with one medal per 658,000 people. New Zealand finished 4th.
What does it all mean?
Lies, damned lies and statistics…and even the Olympics isn’t spared. Australia may be smarting at its lack of medals, and on a per capita basis the medal ranking doesn’t get any better. While ranking 10th on the final medal tally, on a per capita basis Australia ranks 19th on gold medals and 13th when the ranking is done on all medals. The best per capita ranking for Australia is 7th on silver medals.
Jamaica is arguably the best performer on a per capita basis, ranking 3rd on gold medals and 2nd on all medals won.
New Zealand ranks 4th on a gold medal per capita basis and 4th on all medals per capita.
To see the medal table, click here.
