Originally Posted by redwitch

I do wish NBC had focussed a bit more on the first-ever medals. I had to get most of that information from the newspaper and the web. Those athletes who won a medal for a country that had never won any medal, were so very proud.

One thing to remember, China does not count any medal but gold. The rest are considered a loss by them. In their minds, they truly won the medal count. There are other countries with the same mindset. To me, it is a shame that the honor of being able to compete at the Olympics has been pushed aside and only if you win does it mean anything. Athletes used to stay until the Olympics were done. Now, if they lose or their event is over, they leave.