The Real Winners of Beijing Olympic Games 2008

Population / Gold Medal:

1. Jamaica
2. Bahrain
3. Mongolia

Population / Total Medals:
(Malaysia ranked 77 out of 87 – notably we beat Indonesia and India)

1. Bahamas
2. Jamaica
3. Iceland

GDP / Gold Medal:

1. Zimbabwe
2. North Korea
3. Jamaica

GDP / Total Medals:
(Malaysia ranked 81 out of 87 – notably we beat Japan and India)

1. Zimbabwe
2. North Korea
3. Jamaica

GDP per capita / Gold Medal:

1. Zimbabwe
2. North Korea
3. China

GDP per capita / Total Medals:
(Malaysia ranked 69 out of 87 – notably we beat Singapore)

1. Zimbabwe
2. North Korea
2. China

Note:
Kirsty Coventry contributed a lot of medals to Zimbabwe’s medal tally.
The Jamaicans conquered the track and field.

Generally I am not sure if the GDP used here is the nominal or real GDP value. If it is the real value, then I think the truest measure to a successful country is (GDP per capita) / Total Medals. Zimbabwe won!


Source: Beijing 2008 Olympic Medal Tally