My point is this, I really wish we would abandon all “professional athletes” playing in the Olympics for team USA. I don’t care what other countries do. I just wish that our country used amateur athletes for the Olympics.
Olympic Pros
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Justice Hog
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Olympic Pros
Once again, it’s the year of the “Olympics” so I just want to take this opportunity to “vent” a little. I know the USA is hell bent on winning all of the medals; consequently, a few years back, team USA decided to allow professional athletes (NBA, NHL) to participate in the Olympic games. I, for one, HATE THIS!! I would much rather see college athletes compete at the Olympics than the professionals. Our huge upset over the Russians a few decades ago wouldn’t have been nearly as glorious if we had professionals from the NHL playing.
My point is this, I really wish we would abandon all “professional athletes” playing in the Olympics for team USA. I don’t care what other countries do. I just wish that our country used amateur athletes for the Olympics.
My point is this, I really wish we would abandon all “professional athletes” playing in the Olympics for team USA. I don’t care what other countries do. I just wish that our country used amateur athletes for the Olympics.
Fran Farren
"Justice Hog"
Newark, DE
“God didn't give us a spirit that is timid but one that is powerful, loving and controlled.” 2 Timothy 1:7
"Justice Hog"
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redskingush
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I have no problem with pros being at the Olympics. The Olympics should be about the best - and the best means professionals in a lot of sports.
I believe that the best sportspeople should be there, regardless of whether they are amateurs or not. To restrict participation in that way is to cheat us all as spectators. I don't want the Olympic champion to be "the best in the world, apart from all those people out there who are good enough to get paid to play".
I believe that the best sportspeople should be there, regardless of whether they are amateurs or not. To restrict participation in that way is to cheat us all as spectators. I don't want the Olympic champion to be "the best in the world, apart from all those people out there who are good enough to get paid to play".
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Justice Hog
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I understand the Olympics being for the "best" in the world, I really do. I don't necessarily disagree with that; however, I just liked the idea of the Olympics being a competition for the best amateurs in the world, that's all.
Fran Farren
"Justice Hog"
Newark, DE
“God didn't give us a spirit that is timid but one that is powerful, loving and controlled.” 2 Timothy 1:7
"Justice Hog"
Newark, DE
“God didn't give us a spirit that is timid but one that is powerful, loving and controlled.” 2 Timothy 1:7
redskingush wrote:This all started with the 92 dream team in barcelona, but as years go on the "dream" label wears out, I suspect that the amatuers will be returning the the Ice at least in 2010.
I think it realyy started with the so called amateurs of Cuba and the former Soviet Union. Those guys only reason in life is/was training, thats their jobs, if they got paid with cupons is no reason not to call them professionals.
Is like the next world baseball championship. We'll really see who is the bet of the world.
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Justice Hog wrote: I just liked the idea of the Olympics being a competition for the best amateurs in the world, that's all.
Well, I see the Olympics as being a competition for the best athletes in the world, and if that happens to be Professional athletes, then so be it.
But if you look at it, the only sports in the Olympics where Pros can really attribute is in Basketball and Hockey (do they still do baseball?) I mean, Randy Moss or someone isn't going to sign up for the 100 Meter Speed Skating anyways...
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redskingush
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air_hog wrote:Justice Hog wrote: I just liked the idea of the Olympics being a competition for the best amateurs in the world, that's all.
Well, I see the Olympics as being a competition for the best athletes in the world, and if that happens to be Professional athletes, then so be it.
But if you look at it, the only sports in the Olympics where Pros can really attribute is in Basketball and Hockey (do they still do baseball?) I mean, Randy Moss or someone isn't going to sign up for the 100 Meter Speed Skating anyways...
See what, everybody's dropping out, its not the best in the world, its maybe the best that wants to play!!
GO SKINS GO!!
If I can remember correctly from a History of Sport class I attended in college ( long time ago) when the first modern Olympics were formed the words "professional" and "amateur" meant two different things in terms of the people creating the system.
The upper crust "bluebloods" looked down upon the people who actually worked for a living - calling them "professionals". They considerd them beneath themselves and as such bagan calling themselves the "amateurs". When the modern Olympics was formed the "bluebloods" in charge of forming them decided to impose a "gentleman's" agreement agaisnt the "professionals" competing.
This is my understanding of how the origin of the "ban" came to be.
As such I'd like to see it just be the non-professionals (professional as we now it to be today - as in no NHL players playing hockey) but alas there are some countries who support and finance their Olympic athletes to the point of making them defacto professionals.
So yes...I'm all for professionals in the Olympics if it means the best in the world. Otherwise, there'd have to be enough oversight over all of the athletes to make sure they aren't receiving too much gov't subsidies.
The upper crust "bluebloods" looked down upon the people who actually worked for a living - calling them "professionals". They considerd them beneath themselves and as such bagan calling themselves the "amateurs". When the modern Olympics was formed the "bluebloods" in charge of forming them decided to impose a "gentleman's" agreement agaisnt the "professionals" competing.
This is my understanding of how the origin of the "ban" came to be.
As such I'd like to see it just be the non-professionals (professional as we now it to be today - as in no NHL players playing hockey) but alas there are some countries who support and finance their Olympic athletes to the point of making them defacto professionals.
So yes...I'm all for professionals in the Olympics if it means the best in the world. Otherwise, there'd have to be enough oversight over all of the athletes to make sure they aren't receiving too much gov't subsidies.
