Team Medal Wins by Ava Thompson

Team Medal Wins explores the intricate history of Olympic team sports victories from 1950 to 2020, examining the factors beyond athletic talent that contribute to a nation's success.
Drawing from International Olympic Committee archives, the book analyzes sports like basketball, soccer, hockey, and volleyball, revealing patterns of dominance and shifts in international competition.
It assesses medal counts nation-by-nation, highlighting consistent performers and those with fluctuating results.
Intriguingly, a nation's investment in sports infrastructure significantly correlates with its Olympic achievements.
The book also evaluates the relationship between socio-economic factors, such as GDP and population size, and Olympic success.
It posits that victories reflect a nation's broader societal strengths and priorities, not just athletic prowess.
Providing historical context, the study acknowledges the impact of events like the Cold War and globalization.
The book uses a data-driven approach, supplemented by qualitative analysis, to build its argument progressively across chapters and offers insights for sports organizations and policymakers.