Quote:
Originally Posted by Papi34
They dont have the same competitive levels??!?!?!?!? did you watch the last 2 snowboarding events! there is nothing more exciting! ANYONE can win its easily the best event of the olympics so far!
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Not saying the competition isn't tough. But, for newer sports like snowboarding there are only so many countries that even bother sending funding too.
Figure skating, speed skating, skiing, etc have all been around for decades and therefore many countries put all their funding behind them. Places like China, Netherlands, Norway, Japan put most of their funding into the established events, usually ones they excel at.
I would bet Netherlands puts 95% of its funding into speed skating. But, once the newer events stick around for awhile and stars come from those countries I am sure funding will follow them, and more athletes will come from those countries.
Or someone like Shaun White could come along and propel their sport into the spotlight. Half pipe is probably the most competitive x-game medal event, mostly because of his celebrity.