Quote:
Originally Posted by flamesaresmokin
As far as i'm concerned i'm happy if they are out there setting new pb's and national records. The medals would be nice, but be realistic....unless funding reaches levels of other countries on a consistent basis, raising expectations isn't fair.
|
Jiri's covered the first part, but the failure after faliure of those athletes that have already supposedly proved themselves in the world is concerning. Should all be competing for a medal? No, that's not realistic.
But those that are ranked top 2-5 in the world currently or recently, going into the Olympics based on world cup wins, world championship podiums etc etc...and then they come to the Olympics and finish 5th...that's not coaching or funding, because they're proven that the can get to that level supposedly, its failing when it matters the most.
Its those like the synchro divers late last night ranked second in the world and finish 5th. 4x200 swim team world silver medlists a couple years back at World Championships, 5th. Brett Hayden who was a world champion, who's face is all over the TV for Rona (who are proud of Brett the photographer as much as Brett the world Champion..yeah right) and Visa, not even making the finals of his specific race. Some of its bad luck and not their day...but its still failure in all those cases of what appeared to be reasonable expectations going into the events and warrants proper critcism.