Olympic Wednesday feels a little hollow today, as we recognize the ideals we once held to be the foundations and framework of society no longer seem to exist. By 2006, the Olympics themselves already were compromised in ways we’ve discussed before; so be it. We will see the exercise through to the end, as we will never compromise integrity. That’s a tenacious promise delivered with a lot of fucking verve today.

The 20th Winter Games arrived in Italy with almost 2,500 competitors from 79 nations chasing 84 gold medals in 15 different disciplines. Five countries finished within seven total medals of each other, too: Germany (29), the United States (25), Canada (24), Austria (23), and the Russian Federation (22). That’s a tight race for the top of the medal table, and we hope the analysis and information below helps you out.

Most Outstanding Male Athlete: Viktor An, South Korea

Short-track speed skating is an insane sport, full of crashes and unlikely winners. So, to be consistent enough to win six gold medals across two Olympiads means something. South Korean skater Viktor An won three golds and a bronze in Torino to earn this nod: gold in 1,000m; gold in 1,500m; and gold in 5,000m relay. His bronze came in the 500m event. Oddly, his second Olympiad would be eight years later.

Most Outstanding Female Athlete: Jin Seon-Yu, South Korea

Clearly, this is a sport that is favored in the Republic of Korea: Jin Seon-Yu takes our honors here with three gold medals in short-track speed skating (gold in 1,000m; gold in 1,500m; and gold in 5,000m relay). She was the most decorated woman of these Games, and she also did finish tenth in the 500m event. Still, no one else could match her, even if she fell slightly short of matching her countryman above. So be it.

Most Outstanding Male Team: South Korean Short-Track Speed Skating

In addition to An’s successes, Lee Ho-Seok won two silvers (1,000m; 1,500m). Overall, the team therefore won six of a possible seven medals in the four events. The overall count included three golds, two silvers, and one bronze. Again, we love this sport for its craziness, so to be that consistent is a firm demonstration.

Most Outstanding Female Team: German Luge

For the fifth time in a row, this winner comes from Germany … but this time it’s the luge team, not the speed skating squad. Sylke Otto (gold), Silke Kraushaar (silver), and Tatjana Hüfner (bronze) swept the medals in the women’s luge event, and it’s hard to top that, of course. Everyone respects a sweep (mostly). Right?