I think I reached that point on maybe the fourth or fifth day of the Winter Universiade here in Krasnoyarsk, as the Russian team topped podium after podium in the Siberian city.

At the time of writing the Russians have 99 medals and are assured of a 100th. South Korea lie second in the medal count with 14.

Naturally, this has posed a few problems.

We at times have found ourselves cheering for every country bar Russia in the interest of variety. I have certainly found myself taking the medal count less seriously. I have wondered how much joy the Russian athletes must be having, given the disparity between themselves and everyone else.

Clearly the size of Russia's team has contributed with the home delegation dwarfing other nations. The hosting of the Universiade has certainly led to some of the country's best athletes being on show here. This is not the case with other teams.

For instance, the American collegiate system, featuring key Championships, has been viewed as carrying greater focus and importance to skiers from the United States. Championships there have led to no Alpine skiers from the US featuring here.

"It'll be interesting to see if Lake Placid hosting the Winter Universiade will even bring any attention to the event in the US," a comment on an insidethegames story read a couple of days ago. "There has historically been little to no coverage of the Universiade - winter or summer - on American TV and it seems the US doesn't even take it seriously."

Organisers are certainly hopeful that Lake Placid's hosting of the 2023 event will lead to changes.

"We are starting to build excitement in our region," said James McKenna, President and chief executive of the regional office of sustainable tourism in Lake Placid. "Our biggest challenge at the moment is the exposure in the United States and Canada."

It is possible an increase in US representation could be what the Winter Universiade needs after two Russian-dominated editions. After all, where would Tom be without Jerry?

Oleg Matytsin addressed the elephant in the room at a media round table earlier today. The International University Sports Federation (FISU) President was looking on the positive side when he, rightly, suggested there is more to life than medals.

"Of course, we see the domination of the Russian team," Matytsin said.

"People are not only thinking about the records, medals and results. People are also thinking about the concept of the Universiade to put all athletes together and invite athletes from all countries to come and to play on the same field.

"Of course, results are very important, but it is more important to bring people together and give them a chance to compete in venues and competitions."

Just as there are difficult questions about one nation hoovering up every medal in sight, the parameters for who takes part are another interesting area.

While there certainly have been "normal" university students taking part in Krasnoyarsk, the start-lists in their events could be packed with athletes fresh from competing at World Cups, while others have participated and indeed medalled at World Championships and the Olympic Games.

On one hand you could suggest this makes the outcome of some competitions a near inevitability, but on the other the presence of stellar names certainly boosts the profile and recognition of the Universiade.

"There is a different level of competence and professionalism of the students coming," Matytsin acknowledges. "We have no limits, other than the regulations from our side that they have to be students and be aged between 17 and 25.

"I believe for the students who are not professional and on the world ranking, it is a good opportunity to come and be together with the stars of today. It gives some the opportunity to compete against great Olympians, it is a good opportunity to promote university sport values.

"We are all different, but it is interesting to be together and share culture. It depends how we consider this fact."

The absence of Ukraine from the Winter Universiade feels something of a sore point. Not least because of the focus on bringing athletes together, but also because it would have provided a greater depth of competition in biathlon and cross-country skiing, where the hosts have enjoyed supremacy.

Last year the Ukrainian Government recommended that athletes do not compete in Russia, warning them that, if they decide to do so, their trip will not be funded. This came in protest against their neighbour's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and amid ongoing tensions in the region, while the ongoing Russian doping scandal was also cited.

Matytsin lamented Ukraine's decision not to take FISU up on the offer of funding around 50 of their athletes to come to the Universiade, asserting that students are the victims of a mistake from the country's authorities.

On a positive note, FISU have expressed belief that the Winter Universiade is an ideal testing laboratory. The sport programme here has seen the debut of bandy and ski orienteering, with the latter's live GPS tracking map of participants attracting attention.

A mixed team sprint relay in cross-country was also debuted at an international competition. It is possible the event could feature at the Universiade prior to reaching the World Cup circuit, similarly to how a mixed team ski jumping competition was adopted.

FISU have stressed their desire to further develop their Universiade model, which could result in a wider range of cultural events featuring. It is possible this would go beyond those organised by the host country and city.

With major sporting bodies having struggled to find hosts in recent years, it seems impressive that FISU have been able to maintain a steady stream of hosts for their biennial Summer and Winter Universiade. Although at times this has not been easy, with Naples currently facing challenges four months out from the summer version after replacing Brasilla two years ago.

Lucerne and Lake Placid will follow Krasnoyarsk as Winter Universiade hosts, while Matytsin notes there is the potential to continue an Olympic legacy with Pyeongchang emerging as a potential option for 2025.

The Chinese city Chengdu was confirmed as 2021 Summer Universiade hosts last week, while Russian city Yekaterinburg looks increasingly likely to be confirmed as the next location with a decision expected in Naples. 

Interest in 2025 has reportedly come from Argentina, Australia and South Africa.

Matytsin expressed that the interest and potential partnerships with cities highlighted the importance of the Unversiade concept. He believes that with universities set to play a key role in society and develop the leaders of tomorrow, shared competition, culture and tradition should continue to prove valuable in the future.