Economist predicts Canadian gold

Canada to earn 27 medals in Vancouver?

Canada will dominate the 2010 Games, pulling in 27 medals (one more than the U.S and Norway). At least, that’s what Daniel Johnson, an economics professor at Colorado College predicts. “The numbers say it will be Canada’s year.” It could, of course, just be ivory tower musing. But Johnson’s record on Olympic forecasts is pretty good; according to Bloomberg news, he predicts winners with a 94 per cent accuracy rate. Johnson’s calculations don’t consider individual athletes; instead, they use factors like a country’s income and climate. A good showing in Vancouver would be a nod to Canada’s “Own the Podium” program, set up in 2004 to make sure our winter athletes are ready to dominate on the home court.

Bloomberg