![How does the Olympic medal table work? Gold medals are important - but it's a hot topic - Irish Mirror Online How does the Olympic medal table work? Gold medals are important - but it's a hot topic - Irish Mirror Online](https://i2-prod.irishmirror.ie/incoming/article8647086.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/Mens-100m-Victory-Ceremony.jpg)
How does the Olympic medal table work? Gold medals are important - but it's a hot topic - Irish Mirror Online
![Kosovo's Majlinda Kelmendi tears up on the medals stand, wearing the first Olympic medal ever for her country, the gold medal in Women's 52 kg division Judo at the 2016 Rio Summer Kosovo's Majlinda Kelmendi tears up on the medals stand, wearing the first Olympic medal ever for her country, the gold medal in Women's 52 kg division Judo at the 2016 Rio Summer](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/TYX5PM/kosovos-majlinda-kelmendi-tears-up-on-the-medals-stand-wearing-the-first-olympic-medal-ever-for-her-country-the-gold-medal-in-womens-52-kg-division-judo-at-the-2016-rio-summer-olympics-in-rio-de-janeiro-brazil-on-august-7-2016-photo-by-terry-schmittupi-TYX5PM.jpg)
Kosovo's Majlinda Kelmendi tears up on the medals stand, wearing the first Olympic medal ever for her country, the gold medal in Women's 52 kg division Judo at the 2016 Rio Summer
![London Olympics medal ceremony: Why do bronze and silver medalists stand at the same height on the podium? London Olympics medal ceremony: Why do bronze and silver medalists stand at the same height on the podium?](https://compote.slate.com/images/1e131ba8-7626-4660-b897-ad22fc58bac7.jpg)
London Olympics medal ceremony: Why do bronze and silver medalists stand at the same height on the podium?
![Bronze medalist Tomomi Morita of Japan reacts on the medal stand after the 100m backstroke at the 2004 Olympic Games Monday, August 16 2004 in Athens, Greece. (AP Photo/Mark Baker Stock Photo - Alamy Bronze medalist Tomomi Morita of Japan reacts on the medal stand after the 100m backstroke at the 2004 Olympic Games Monday, August 16 2004 in Athens, Greece. (AP Photo/Mark Baker Stock Photo - Alamy](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2PERBJK/bronze-medalist-tomomi-morita-of-japan-reacts-on-the-medal-stand-after-the-100m-backstroke-at-the-2004-olympic-games-monday-august-16-2004-in-athens-greece-ap-photomark-baker-2PERBJK.jpg)