Quote:
Originally Posted by Vulcan
The reason the Olympics was originally limited to amateurs was to keep the great unwashed from competing. It was an elitist organization for the rich and privileged. Well the organization still is and is a great money maker for the privileged few. Amateurism is a sham and pretty much always has been.
|
Yup. In fact, "sports" like dressage and modern pentathalon were originally invented to give minor nobles and lordlings a means to show off. The Victorian ideal of amateurism not only worked to separate the rich, powerful and lordly from the peasants on the playing field, but sought to put the peasants in their place by making them pay for the
privilege of watching their betters play.
Amateurism is a sham that has no place in any event that purports to pit the best in the world against each other.
Quote:
If the NHL won't go, the Russians will just send their players from the KHL, ditto for the Swedes and Finns and Czechs and their leagues. We'll have Boyd and any other pro rejects playing in Europe with maybe the odd junior hot shot and will be in trouble to qualify.
The Americans will be in better shape than Canada by taking a college team groomed for the tournament.
|
Disagree on the American argument for two reasons. First, Canada could just as easily bring a team of college athletes, and probably a better team than the US could put together at this point. But that is moot because a team of veteran cast offs playing in Europe would crush any team of 20-21 year old college kids.