, Columnists
Here’s a Surefire Way to Boost Your Olympic Medal Count
The games don’t gin up an economy, and money doesn’t buy gold. But playing host has a clear advantage.
Skateboarder Momiji Nishiya with a piece of Japan’s most successful Olympic games.
Photographer: Jeff Pachoud/AFP/Getty
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Hosting an Olympic Games is an economic disaster, even in non-pandemic times. After more than a century and over 50 installments, there are enough case studies to conclude that the home nation is invariably the biggest loser from the world’s largest sporting event.
Except in the medal tally.