Canada's goal for 2010 Vancouver was to "Own the Podium." They did not. The United States did (pauses for requisite chants of "U-S-A!").
The U.S. won a total of 37 medals during the 17 days of competition -- nine gold, 15 silver and 13 bronze -- the most ever by any country at the Winter Games. Germany, which had 29 in 2006, tops in the Torino Games, finished second in Vancouver, with 30.
Canada was third in the overall medal count, with 26, but it also took home more gold medals than any other country, 14, breaking the Winter Olympics mark of 13 originally set by the Soviets in 1976 and equaled by Norway in 2002.
And where there is a winner, there is also a loser: Russia.
If there was a prominent loser, it was Russia, which will host the next Winter Olympics in Sochi in 2014. The Russians had only three golds among its 15 medals, won no golds in their usual stronghold of figure skating, and finished sixth in the standings — the only time they have been out of the top five since the Soviet Union first competed in the Winter Games in 1956.
It's even worse when you consider Russia's goal in 2010 was to win 40 medals. Expect changes between now and Sochi in 2014.
See the full Winter Olympics medal count as part of our 2010 Vancouver coverage.
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Congratulations
To the U.S. olympians for compiling 37 medals at the 2010 Winter Olympics. Congratulations for owning first on the overall podium.
Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
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by John Fischer on Feb 28, 2010 11:52 PM EST reply actions
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