USA and New Zealand are the best nations in sports 2012

Michael Phelps of the USA
The USA and New Zealand have topped the 2012 standings in GSN’s two main rankings, the Global Cup and the Per Capita Cup respectively.
The USA have beaten every other nation on Earth for the fifth year in succession while it has been a first for New Zealand at the head of the Per Capita Cup, which measures the country with the sportiest population, in terms of how many inhabitants it takes to earn one GSN point (only 4501 New Zealanders needed).
 
USA DOMINATION
It has been the USA’s most emphatic win ever in the Global Cup, with a 3138 points margin (+ 75%) over regular runner-up Russia. This has been the US’s largest-ever winning margin and it comes after a steadily increasing progression since 2009 (when the margin was +23%). The USA’s domination is readily explained by looking at other GSN statistics. Of the 65 sports in which points were awarded in 2012 – five more than 2011– the USA have won outright a record 10: Athletics, Basketball, Beach Volley, Freestyle Skiing, Golf, Road Cycling, Skeleton, Swimming, Tennis and Water Polo. The range is vast, and no wonder the USA have also won outright the London 2012 Olympics.
Another indication of how comprehensive the USA’s win has been comes from the number of sports in which the Americans scored points: 49 different sports, ahead of Russia with 45 and Great Britain with 38.
 
GREAT BRITAIN’S BEST EVER
Olympic hosts Great Britain had a great year, third place being their best ever Global Cup result, achieved at the expense of mighty but underperforming China. GBR did very well also in number of sports won, coming joint second with Russia in this ranking with seven sports to their credit (Amateur Boxing, Equestrian, Rowing, Sailing, Snooker, Track Cycling and Triathlon).
 
NEW ZEALAND TOPS THE PER CAPITA CUP
In the Per Capita Cup the key to New Zealand’s victory was strength in depth. The Kiwis snatched victory by a mere 99 inhabitants over lightning Bolt Jamaica, with another Caribbean mighty midget, Trinidad & Tobago third. But with all due respect to the astonishing Jamaicans – second overall behind the USA in the biggest sport, Athletics – New Zealand’s victory is richly deserved, coming as it did on the back of points earned in 21 sports, including one overall victory in Rugby Union and a third place in Sailing. By comparison, Jamaica scored points in only two sports… 98,3% of the points being scored in Athletics.
 
SMALL IS GREAT
Finally an honourable mention for some “small” sporting countries who nevertheless excelled in 2012 by winning outright at least one sport: Hungary (Canoe/Kayak Sprint), the West Indies (Cricket), Belgium (Cyclo-cross), Kenya (Marathon), Mexico (Racquetball), Finland (Snowboarding), Egypt (Squash).

Congratulations to all, and off with a new sporting year next week.