East Asia’s Olympics results are a testament to a changing world

Hong Kong’s Vivian Kong Man-wai winning gold in the épée competition at the Paris Olympics was rich with historical significance. She competed at the Grand Palais, originally constructed for the 1900 Exposition Universelle which coincided with the first Paris Olympics. While épée debuted in Paris in 1900, it was not until Atlanta 1996 that women competed in the event. From the Olympics’ early decades to the present, the games have maintained a certain structural legacy while undergoing significant evolution. They showcase a shifting global order, shaped by East Asia’s ascent. What began as a Western-dominated event is now a global spectacle. In 1900, Europe commanded seven of the top 10 spots in the Olympic medal tally, with the United States, Australia and a mixed team rounding out the list. Fast forward to 2024 and, while the West still holds seven of the top 10 positions in the medals table, China, South Korea and Japan occupy the remaining three. Pierre de Coubertin’s vision of a globally inclusive Olympics remains an ongoing journey. Europe once dominated fencing. While Italy and France have maintained their prominent position, Russia, the US and East Asia are now formidable competitors. South Korea put in a strong performance at the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games in 2021, as did Japan this year. Between Hong Kong and the mainland, China won two golds in both 2021 and 2024. In addition to fencing, other Olympic sports that could be considered “upper class” are equestrian events, rowing, sailing, golf and tennis. The extra expense involved in these sports creates barriers for athletes from the Global South. Great Britain won eight medals in rowing while France took seven in fencing, an indication of the lingering hold of traditional powers in certain legacy sports. Beyond golf and tennis, football in Europe and basketball in the US are highly commercialised. Amateur athletes can find themselves competing against seasoned professionals at the Olympics. Meanwhile, among the 32 Olympic sports this year, athletics, swimming and cycling accounted for 32 per cent of the medal events. While some African countries excel in athletics – in particular long-distance running – the US and Australia are highly successful in swimming, as is Europe in cycling. Swimming events at the Olympics expanded from seven in 1900 to 35 in 2024, with more than 100 medals up for grabs. The US and Australia took home 28 and 18 medals respectively from swimming this year in Paris. The US and China finished level on 40 golds in the final medals table, thanks in part to US swimming success. As was evident during the 2012 London Games and this year’s events in Paris, Great Britain and France are increasingly multicultural societies. Their expanded talent pools, including second-generation immigrants such as British triathlon great Alex Yee, provide an important edge over immigration-shy East Asia. Europe also does not depend on legacy sports such as fencing to secure medals, as shown by France winning more medals in judo than fencing this year. From the elite levels down to the grass roots, the developed countries of the West and later the Soviet-led eastern bloc have invested considerable resources in sports infrastructure. As much as star athletes, the modern Olympics are a competition between national sports systems in the multilevel mobilisation and coordination of resources. For more than a century, the West has had structural, institutional and resource advantages in the Olympics in addition to the systemic strengths and capabilities of advanced economies. That East Asia’s athletes were able to overcome these odds to put in successful performances this century is all the more remarkable. The evolution of the sporting landscape has mirrored the trajectory of global economic competition. Western Europe and the US were the dominant forces in the world economy for most of the 20th century, but today Japan, South Korea and China’s combined gross domestic product makes up a quarter of global GDP and exceeds that of the European Union. Meanwhile, the US and China have been neck-and-neck at the top of the medals table during the games in Paris and Tokyo. Buoyed by its rising economic power, East Asia has enhanced its sports infrastructure and systems in recent decades. Countries in the region have directed substantial resources towards building state-of-the-art training facilities and comprehensive athlete support programmes, recruiting top international coaches, adopting sports science and creating robust national sports systems. This strategic focus has propelled East Asian nations to become formidable competitors on the global stage in their own right. East Asia’s Olympic progress cannot be solely attributed to its economic power. It also has its roots in the region’s development of human capital. High rankings in Olympic medal tables and educational assessments reflect different dimensions of national strength, highlighting a country’s physical and intellectual capabilities. While ostensibly a showcase of athletic prowess, the Olympics reveal deeper socioeconomic dynamics at play in our globalised yet fragmenting world. Given the sporting advantages enjoyed by nations which industrialised early, the Olympics can never be completely equitable at the macro level. Even so, their true value transcends medal tallies or population-adjusted rankings. In an age of increasing geopolitical rivalry, their paramount end lies in fostering international peace and friendship. This spirit was captured in a poignant moment when North Korean, South Korean and Chinese table tennis players united for a selfie at a medal ceremony. Such moments of human connection give us hope for a more harmonious world. Winston Mok, drawing on his experience in regional private equity and international strategic advisory, views world affairs through the lenses of East Asia and the Global South.

East Asia’s Olympics results are a testament to a changing world

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}While ostensibly a showcase of athletic prowess, the Olympics reveal deeper socioeconomic dynamics at play globally

While ostensibly a showcase of athletic prowess, the Olympics reveal deeper socioeconomic dynamics at play globally