78 Days

The Olympics is supposed to bring out the best in athletes around the world and inspire the human race to be better people. Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the IOC, said, "The important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle, the essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well." Which is why it's unfortunate when athletes cannot live up to that standard. As I mentioned in 86 Days, Russian figure skater, Andrei Lutai was arrested for allegedly stealing a car and drunk driving in Lake Placid, NY after competing at Skate America. Lutai was held in jail for several days. He then pleaded not guilty and was released to return to Russia. The Russian Figure Skating Federation just released a statement announcing that they have banned Lutai from the Russian national team for a year "for violating ethical norms of an athlete" which means he has lost his chance to compete in the 2010 Winter Olympics. On the same topic, nine-time Olympic speed skating medalist, Claudia Pechstein has been banned from the 2010 Winter Olympics after returning blood samples with "abnormal levels" at the World Championships last year. The German Pechstein has won 5 Olympic gold medals in the past 4 Winter Olympics, and is Germany's most successful Winter Olympian.

I know I don't usually use years for my stats on the countdown, but I thought this was interesting. In 1978, the regulations for the Olympic medals were created. While each Olympic organizing committee can design their own medals, there are certain requirements which must be followed. Medals must be a minimum of 60 millimeters in diameter and three millimeters thick. Gold and silver medals must be at least 92.5% pure silver, and the gold medal must be gilded with at least six grams of gold. The name of the sport must be etched in each medal and must be attached to a ribbon or chain, to be hung around the medalists' necks. Here's an image of a gold medal to be awarded at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

At the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games, only 25 of the 78 nations that competed were awarded medals.