Interesting View on the Medal Table

[Blaze]

which in practice made them pretty much invisible since they don't even appear in the medal table...

But at least they had the satisfaction of participating. They will know that their athletic ability/worth does not need to be measured in medals.

[Biloute]

which in practice made them pretty much invisible since they don't even appear in the medal table...

But at least they had the satisfaction of participating. They will know that their athletic ability/worth does not need to be measured in medals.

That's true, but I doubt that athletes are satisfied with just glory. Money is good too, right? To interest potential sponsors, you need visibility...

[Blaze]

I doubt that athletes are satisfied with just glory. Money is good too, right?

I don't know what motivates top athletes other than they want to be the best. I don't believe that money is top of their list though of course it comes in handy.
The Olympics should have stayed amateur but sadly as in so many things, money talks ... though some athletes could not afford to keep going without turning professional. A difficult one. But television, advertising, large commercial sponsoring etc etc has changed the face of sport forever.

It seems the Olympics have had to evolve with the times - it would be unthinkable today not to allow women to compete.
Fortunately they've decided to drop breaking ! The World Dance Sport Federation have tried for decades to get Ballroom dancing to be an Olympic discipline .... breaking was the nearest they ever got.
Ballroom dancing .... whatever next ?