The Algorithm
The ELYSIUM TROPHY ranking is based on a transparent, simple, fair and balanced algorithm that assigns points to countries based on the performance of their athletes:
- Regardless of the sport they compete in;
- Regardless of their gender;
- Regardless of whether or not they have a disability;
- Regardless of whether they compete in individual or team sports;
Every athlete earns points for their country based on their participation and results.
Point Scale
Athletes earn three types of cumulative points for their country:
Participation Points aim to reward athletes who qualify for the Olympic or Paralympic Games — an accomplishment already extraordinary in itself. This honours Pierre de Coubertin’s motto: “The important thing is to participate.”
| Action by the athlete | Points awarded to their country |
|---|---|
| Participates in a competition | +1 |
“Surpassing oneself” points are awarded to athletes who, regardless of their final result, manage to exceed their own limits, those of their compatriots, and other competitors. Examples include Tanzanian marathon runner John Stephen Akhwari at the 1968 Mexico Olympics and swimmer Eric Moussambani at Sydney 2000, who both went beyond their limits to finish their events despite fatigue and pain. These athletes have inspired millions worldwide through their determination and tenacity.
“Surpassing oneself” points also recognise athletes who push their personal boundaries or surpass national, continental, Olympic, or world records in their disciplines.
| Action by the athlete | Points awarded to their country |
|---|---|
| Finishes a competition | +1 |
| Sets a new personal record | +50 |
| Sets a new national record | +100 |
| Sets a new continental record | +150 |
| Sets a new Olympic record | +200 |
| Sets a new world record | +250 |
Results Points are awarded to athletes based on their results in each event:
| Athlete’s Result | Points awarded to their country |
|---|---|
| 8th place | +10 |
| 7th place | +20 |
| 6th place | +30 |
| 5th place | +60 |
| 4th place | +120 |
| 3rd place | +250 |
| 2nd place | +500 |
| 1stplace | +1000 |
Penalty Points are deducted from a country’s total when an athlete representing them is disqualified from a competition due to doping, unsportsmanlike conduct, or fair play violations.
| Action by the athlete | Points deducted from the country |
|---|---|
| Disqualification for doping, unsportsmanlike behavior, or fair play violations | -1000 |
Impact of the Ranking
This algorithm is designed to promote more fairness among athletes and balance across disciplines, encourage solidarity and social inclusion, enhance all athletes’ motivation, and generate greater excitement among fans and media.
A simulation of the ELYSIUM TROPHY was conducted based on the results of the Tokyo Games to verify its effectiveness. All the objectives would have been achieved:
The ELYSIUM TROPHY Ranking:
- For athletes: even when the possibility of winning a medal diminishes, finishing a marathon, staying focused to finish 4th instead of 7th in a shooting event, or striving for 6th place in the 1500m swim are all actions that impact their country’s ranking.
- For fans and media: Cheering for athletes in a wheelchair basketball game for 5th place influences the final standings.
- At Tokyo 2020, 54% of the total points would have been earned by Olympic athletes, while 46% would have been earned by Paralympic athletes;
- At Tokyo 2020, men would have earned 53% of the total points, while women would have earned 47%.
Full parity would not have been achieved, but projections for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games suggest results might approach near-perfect parity. Moreover, with the rankings “inspiration Alice Milliat” and “inspiration Ludwig Guttmann”, countries that come closest to achieving gender and Olympian/Paralympian parity will be highlighted.
- While only 93 of the 206 participating countries were represented in the traditional medal standing at Tokyo 2020 (meaning that 55% of the world’s countries were excluded), all countries participating in the Olympic and Paralympic Games are now represented in the ELYSIUM TROPHY
- Furthermore, the “inspiration Yukio Peter” ranking, which ranks countries by points per capita, promotes smaller, often underrepresented nations.
- For example, whereas in the traditional Olympic medal standing, swimming contributes 37 gold medals (11% of all medals, nearly 20 times more than basketball), it accounts for only 8.6% of the points in the ELYSIUM TROPHY ranking (about 2.5 times more than basketball).
- While athletics, swimming, and rowing remain the major contributors to the overall ranking, the ELYSIUM TROPHY ranking helps rebalancing the weight of the different sports.
Following the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, a consultation will be organised with the friends of the ELYSIUM TROPHY and with willing international and national sports bodies worldwide to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the algorithm and improve it for future editions. To participate, join the friends of the ELYSIUM TROPHY.