Ha, very interesting discussion. I can't say I disagree with Jim Hunter about the "if we win, then good, if we lose, oh well" attitude. Jeremywilhelm, you're completely correct. Funny how our disciplines are the same. I had a pretty bright future in the International Taekwondo Federation was ranked in Malaysia for my weight division for freestyle sparring. Came to canada and at the urging of some masters, switched over to World Taekwondo Federation so I'd have a chance to maybe one day compete in the olympics. It was night and day when it came to attitude and funding. My previous gym was extremely competitive with a "win at all cost" attitude. Canadian gym was vastly different with an "as long as you did your best, then everything is good" attitude. I was given all the motivation and tools to succeed, but in Canada I felt I was handicapped.
Well, maybe things have started to change. I can only speak from an experience 20 years ago. We are winning more medals now than ever, so maybe the attitude and funding isn't as bad as Jim says it is?
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