103 Medals in Athens, Only Three Reasons Why

More financial support, better training programs and greater diversity cited by world as reasons for the United States success at the 2004 Athens Olympics; France, Germany and Japan name diversity as top reason for United States success at Olympic Games

SEATTLE (PRWEB)Sept. 28, 2004 - The more wealth a country has, the better they do in the Olympics, according to a poll by independent global market research firm GMI, Inc. The study revealed that the world thinks financial support, better training programs, and more diversity are the key reasons to the United States success at the 2004 Athens Olympics (www.worldpoll.com).

The GMI World Poll survey, which samples 1,000 media-informed individuals in each of the worlds leading G8 economic nations*, found that 27% of global respondents cited the United States extensive financial support of its athletes and their training programs for its success in the Olympics. Additionally, 18% of global respondents concluded better training programs and 16% cited more diversity as key reasons for the United States 103 medals count in Athens.

Racial-ethnic diversity is the inevitable result of a relatively open immigration system, which allows talent to enter and develop regardless of ethnic or racial background," explained Princeton University Professor Doug S. Massey with the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. Other, more homogenous nations seem to realize that this openness is key to American success, not only in athletics but in other endeavors, such as academics," continued Massey.

The survey found homogenous societies, such as Japan, saw Americas diversity as the number one reason to its success at the Olympic Games, with 24% of Japanese respondents indicating this reason. Twenty-one percent of French and 20% of Germans also concluded this was the likely reason to the United States success.

When you are in a diverse, immigrant-receiving society, perhaps there is a tendency to see the problems and not the benefits of an open immigration policy, or to under-appreciate the degree to which diversity may be strength," Massey added, alluding to the American respondents results.

Among American respondents, 27% cited better training programs, 22% cited more financial support, and 20% cited a more competitive culture as reasons to Americas continued Olympic success. Only 10% of American respondents felt diversity added to Americas success at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Complete results of GMI World Poll surveys are available in their entirety at www.worldpoll.com. Upon request, GMI will provide media with comprehensive World Poll survey results cross-tabulated by variables such as age, gender, geographic region, and where applicable, race, and ethnicity.

*G8 nations are the world's major industrial democracies, including Canada, France, Germany, China, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

About GMI World Poll

GMI World Poll quickly and accurately gathers international opinions about topical issues and critical global events, with real-time results available in as little as 24 hours. GMI World Poll is the only survey that polls global opinions in real time, on-line, and with statistically accurate results.

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