What is the best Olympic medal ranking system?
The common method of ranking the medal success of countries at the Olympic Games, as used by the IOC, is in order of the total number of gold medals won (using the number of silver and then bronze if there is the same number of golds). Another method that is common in the US is to use the total number of medals won (total of all gold, silver and bronze medals).
Alternative methods include a weighted point system, where points are given for each of the medals, such as 3 for gold, 2 for silver and 1 point for bronze. Other methods that have been tried is ranking countries based on per-capita demographic ranking (medals in proportion to population size) and per-GDP demographic ranking (medals in proportion to gross domestic product). For more information, see this discussion about the different ranking systems. You can also vote for your preferred weighted ranking system.
Which system did you prefer. There was also an option if you thought that we should not be ranking each country's performances at the Olympic Games.
When the poll was closed in 2025, the most popular response was to use the weighted point system.
the results when the poll was archived in 2025Disclaimer: These polls are not scientific, and only reflect the opinion of visitors to this website who have chosen to participate.
Related Pages
- Discussion about the different ranking systems.
- Vote for your preferred weighted ranking system.
- Olympic Games polls
Any comments, suggestions, or corrections? Please let us know.
