Quote:
Originally Posted by JiriHrdina
I'm all for giving fewer athletes better support.
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I think that your view on this is very narrow and strongly influenced by natural gifted athletes like Phelps.
1. Most athletes aren't gold medal favourites by age 18 and usually don't win medals until their second or third Olympics (mid to late 20's), only because of the advantage gained by PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE.
2. The Olympics is not about you or I or how many medals Canada wins...its about the athletes that have devoted their entire life to their sport. If they qualify why shouldn't the government encourage them as the athletic role models they are (I am having a hard time articulating what I want to say here so I apologize how it sounds).
3. I would rather my children have the choice to pick whatever sport they want to excel at and have the opportunity to participate, than have to move out of the country to train (much like that fencer that had to train in Hungary of all places).
4. I think more than anything the Olympics are key in inspiring a nation (particularly the youth) to lead athletic lifestyles. Whether or not this is achieved (see a very obese USA) there is nothing wrong with encouraging this across a wide variety of sports.
5. Funding coaches and systems is the most important part of success (see Olympic rowing and swimming). These systems (much like an NHL team) need to be developed over time with experience, mentors and leaders. All of these are developed by competing and workign toward the Olympics.
6. If an athlete is good enough to compete government funded or not...why stop them from going (hence a big team)? Why not rather encourage them by putting the infrastructure in place to help them succeed.
Personal comment: I think the Olympics are a reflection of the political party in power. Whether or not funding in sport is worthwhile is a subject to be debated on its own, but I for one am in favour of the more athletics is emphasized in a country the merrier, and more importantly the happier the health care system.