Quote:
Originally Posted by fotze
Wow. Being ashamed to be from the same country as peoiple with a different opinion on something like finances. Thats like being ashamed because there are more than 1 political party in the country. We need more North Korea attitudes around here.
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I know what you are saying, but...
The olympics cannot be lumped into the greater pool of "finances" along with health care, roads, etc. They're the olympics. They are a part of world history.
There are thousands of athletes working their butts off every day to chase this dream. These are not "silly games" any more than most people's 9-5 jobs are "sheep farms". Both have their place in society.
To people who don't think spending money on the olympics provides economic return...ya you're mostly right. In the short term it probably doesn't. But big deal. Not everything can be measured with dollar signs. But some athlete winning gold in a more obscure event DOES raise interest in that sport. Greater success at the olympics DOES raise interest in a wider range of sports. That's a good thing. Sports and activity should be a part of everyone's life. And if you want to get down to $, a sportier and more active society is a smaller drain on the health care system.
A society of North American type 7-7 workers may make more $, but it is not a healthier society.