Why do they have to have professional athletes in so many of the Olympic games t

1. 83

   gregasposted 8 years ago

   Why do they have to have professional athletes in so many of the Olympic games these days?
   
   I believe that the Olympics should be like the days of old. I believe the younger athletes should have the opportunities for the sports. The pros that are there have already had or are getting there chance to be noticed in their sports.

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2. 91

   lions44posted 8 years ago

   I used to feel the same way, but the endorsements and grants help equal the playing field for our athletes that don't receive a lot of  support. The IOC and its flunkies make a lot of $$ off these games. Why shouldn't the athletes get more of it?  This way they can devote all of their time to training and other related issues.  In many ways, it lessens the corruption. But the IOC has a long way to go.  They obviously get paid off to award the games to certain countries.
   
   Michael Phelps is worth about $30 million. That does not take away from his accomplishments.  Same with many of the track stars that make huge sums in Europe. 
   
   There will never be moments like the 1980 Hockey team again because our guys were amateurs.  But the Russian players were pros, basically government employees or soldiers. Our system won and now our athletes are the dominant ones at the games. Have you seen the Romanian gymnastics team? It's virtually non-existent. Their system died; so did unlimited doping and state-sponsorship.

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   1. 83

      gregasposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I realize that everyone wants to be the big wines. And the Olympic athletes that get endorsements is one thing, but the athletes that have played professional basketball, hockey etc., take away the chances of the younger upcoming athletes.

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3. 71

   dashingscorpioposted 8 years ago

   Once America started losing to {other countries} who were using (professional athletes) against our college kids such as in basketball is when we decided to send our pros to the Olympics as well.
   If the goal is to have each country put forth their "very best" athletes to compete then it's only fair that we send our pros as well.
   It makes no sense for America to tie one arm behind it's back.
   On the other hand many other sports such as gymnastics will always have plenty of teenagers participating in the Olympics.

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   1. 83

      gregasposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      It used to be one of the rules of the Olympics that they could have NO previous professional pay for any sport. I believe the Olympics should be that way again. They can do drug testing. Why can't they do background checks?

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   2. 71

      dashingscorpioposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Greg, Do you have a difficult time cheering for professionals?
      I suppose if all the other countries stuck to not using professionals America would go along with that as well. However if other countries insist upon sending pros so will we.

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   3. 83

      gregasposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Dashing, I understand that, but it used to be that way. It is just that it should be that way again. I just think it is unfair to younger people in sports like basketball and such.

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4. 83

   tamarawilhiteposted 8 years ago

   There are no more 0.400 hitters because the quality of baseball players overall has excelled. There is a high reward for the professional versus the amateur, and because of the high profit to the winners, it is better to have professional players instead of amateur ones.
   
   Thus with the Olympics, the incentives to be professional and devote to training for the Olympics is high - and the professionals beat the amateurs, so the amateurs are crowded out.
   
   The professionalism of the athletes is furthered by nations using Olympic medals as a source of pride, finding and developing their best athletes to show off to the world. They only send amateurs if there are no professionals available.

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