Several changes take place in Olympics in several directions. It's a change from all sides but we will discuss mainly on the look, investment, performance, dominance, etc. Like every change, in Olympics also some are good some are bad. I am taking 1976 as my base year of discussion. 

The question is why 1976? It is 1976 as It is the dirtiest turning point in the history of the Olympics in a negative sense. Three consecutive Olympics was boycotted by the two superpowers to fulfill their nasty and dirty politics on international issues and 1976 was boycotted by African Nations. It destroyed the basic principles of Olympic games like friendship, equality, and unity in diversity.

I am not considering its results and medal tally as its fractured results for example, in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic ( boycotted by Russian lobby) Rumania was in 2nd position with 53 medals (20/16/17) . The USA was in the top with 174 medals (83/61/30). The USA got 4times more gold and 3.5 times more medals in total from Rumania. In the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Rumani's position was 48th(4) it is far below India(7).

The outlook of the Olympic games has also changed a lot. Now it is a more decorative, glamorous, colourful, and prestigious event . Host countries have to spend a huge amount of money on infrastructure and opening ceremonies. China spent almost $100 million only for the opening ceremony. Nowadays It is not an easy job to host an Olympic game. Brazil faced huge problems and people's anger as the country was in a deep economic crisis.

The country goes beyond its capacity to host the Olympics and to show the world of its status. Only 3 countries from Asia hosted the Olympics, no country from Africa and 1 country from Latin America hosted Olympics. Time has come to think differently about the Olympics.

Performance is the key, nothing is more important than performance to a country and to the participants. One medal in the Olympics is a lifetime achievement. It is the ultimate performance in the field of sports and games. It carries the prestige, fame, glamour, money, sponsorship for the rest of the life simultaneously a narrow miss of an Olympic medal is a lifetime disappointment. (PT Usha, Milkha Singh)

The USA is the most consistent performer of the Olympics. No country can match their performance. From 1988 to 2020 out of 9 Olympic games the USA was top in 6 games. Total medals of USA has never come down below 90.

In this period USA got 359 gold and a total of 949 medals whereas Russia got 267 gold and a total of 684 and China got 245 gold/603 so it is clear that the USA is the undisputed king of Olympic and they are maintaining their supremacy. Russia was the only and main competitor of the USA but they lost their rhythm and momentum after 1992. 

They were top in 1988 and 92 but breaking down of Russia had a solid impact on their performance and medal tally. From 1996 it was a steady decline mainly in the Gold medal. (1992 - 45/112, 1996- 26g/63.....2012- 20g/68. 2016 -19g/56..2020 ..20/71(5th) but the most disappointing performer is Germany. 

Breaking down of Russia is a logical reasoning but in the case of Germany, it is just the opposite and pathetic. They are struggling for double-digit gold. In 2020 they got 10 gold and 8th position. In 1976 East Germany alone got 90 medals with 40 gold (no..2). In 1988 East Germany crossed 100 marks and total medals of East and West was 142 (102+40 and total gold was 50 ) but in 1992 United Germany got 33g/82, after that, it was a continuous fall. (1996....20/65, 2000..13/56..2012..11/44 and 2020 ..10/36.. 9th position).

China, Great Britain, and Japan filled the gap and showed better and better performance. China got the top position in 2008, GB was in 2 nd position in 2016. India got their 1st gold in javelin and smaller countries like Vietnam, Fiji Bahrain Jordan Singapore, Ivory coast, Tajikistan, and Puerto Rico got their 1st gold in Olympic, so everyone is asking for their share.

These are good for the game and Olympics, it's a hugely positive signal for the Olympics. Each and every medal is important. One gold medal can change the rank even in the top position. China was 1 gold short of the top position. In 2020, the USA got 39 gold and China 38. In 2016 GB was in 2 nd position and China was in 3rd position by 27 and 26 gold. Olympic has become more competitive. 30+ gold is enough for the top position and 20 + is for the 2nd and 3rd position.

Dominance...The dominance of a particular country on a particular event is gradually diminishing. The performance graph is narrowing in between countries due to the globalization of sports, sponsorship, high-class modern training, etc. The participants from small and unknown countries are now more motivated and enthusiastic and mentally tough for example Neeraj Chopra's gold in javelin, consecutive 2 Olympic bronze by PV Sindhu, bouncing back of India in hockey. 

Once China dominates badminton and gymnastics, the USA dominates 100/ 200 /400 relay race boxing by Cuba but now it is not the same. Jamaica is a superpower in the race. Usain Bolt was the king of the track. It is a very good signal for sports and the Olympics. Competition is getting tough to tougher. More competition means more excitement, more enjoyment...

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