Pros competing in the Olympics.

[Melinda]

Ive been rather sickened at the sight of Kobe Bryant and his team rolling into Beijing and the clamour and adulation surrounding them. Kobe Bryant?! That's fair!

And amongst others preparing to compete are Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Ronaldinho?! FFS!

Why not Ricky Hatton and Amir Khan? What are the boxing rules?

And of course Golf is being considered for an Olympic sport for the 2016 Games.

I know the IAAF allow paid GP races and invitationals, but the athletics World Champs is still an amateur event.

What is the IOCs criteria for what is deemed a 'professional' athlete?

 

[weltweit]

Aha .. Just this minute posted the same thing in general.

Rafael Nadal, Murray, etc are professional sportspeople, what are they doing there?

 

[TrippyLondoner]

It is very strange this year, i guess they're attempting to make the olympics look more like a major competition, which i can understand since i've heard some people say they don't like it as they see it as a 'second class' tournament if you get me. So I guess that's why, it's not fair though life never is, in truth.

 

[bi0boy]

And of course Golf is being considered for an Olympic sport for the 2016 Games.

OMG LOL

Before long we will have Prince William in the polo and Lewis Hamilton in the F1

 

[TrippyLondoner]

Golf is boring as hell.

 

[Melinda]

Aha .. Just this minute posted the same thing in general.

Rafael Nadal, Murray, etc are professional sportspeople, what are they doing there?

Missed your thread mate, sorry! Great minds an' that though!

Whatever happened to 'level playing field.' Talk about stacking the odds!

Not only do you have to compete against systematic doping, a lack of training facilities and coaching
PLUS subsist on basic handouts... you also have to play bastard Ronaldinho or Nadal!

Now you go out there and do your best! G'luck!

 

[TrippyLondoner]

Wouldn't it be funny if any of the pros failed drug tests?

 

[Melinda]

Wouldn't it be funny if any of the pros failed drug tests?

Or royally fuck up like the first US Basketball 'Dream Team.'
The tirade of national and international abuse they received!

They have everything to lose because they are expected to ride into town and sweep all before them.

 

[Lord Camomile]

Whatever happened to 'level playing field.' Talk about stacking the odds!

Not only do you have to compete against systematic doping, a lack of training facilities and coaching
PLUS subsist on basic handouts... you also have to play bastard Ronaldinho or Nadal!

Not exactly the point I know, but surely in the various sports/disciplines they're comepeting like-for-like, e.g. Rafa, Federer and Murray are all pros who will be playing each other, and all the footballers I assume are pro?

This is assumption rather than knowledge though; can amateurs and pros compete in the same tournament?

 

[maomao]

The IOC hasn;t required amateur status for participation in any sport since the 1970s. Regulations about amateur status are entirley up to the giverning bodies of the sport in question. Which IMO is fair enough and actually makes it more open to people who couldn't really finance themselves otherwise.

 

[marty21]

an american college basketball side could probably win the gold tbh

 

[Melinda]

Not exactly the point I know, but surely in the various sports/disciplines they're comepeting like-for-like, e.g. Rafa, Federer and Murray are all pros who will be playing each other, and all the footballers I assume are pro?

This is assumption rather than knowledge though; can amateurs and pros compete in the same tournament?

I get what you're saying about the like-for-like competition, and Im scratching my head to answer the do 'amateurs and pros compete in the same tournament' - maybe Baldrick will know?

But why do the pros even feel they need to get off their lucarative tournament circuits to compete for a gold medal?

They hoover up the lions share of sponsorship money, they have fame and adulation and have little to worry about other than performance and injury- why do they need a Gold Medal too?

 

[TrippyLondoner]

I think the tennis final is certainly gonna be nadal v federer. So one of those countries are guaranteed a gold medal, thing is with tennis those two are high above the rest, so its very unfair in that sport.

 

[Diamond]

A large proportion of the athletes there, especially from larger countries with state sponsored olympic programs, will be professional. I don't see how it's very different from the tennis pros or football players.

 

[Lord Camomile]

But why do the pros even feel they need to get off their lucarative tournament circuits to compete for a gold medal?

They hoover up the lions share of sponsorship money, they have fame and adulation and have little to worry about other than performance and injury- why do they need a Gold Medal too?

Surley you'd be applauding them for competing for the 'prestige' of winning a medal, rather than needing a cash incentive?

I get what you mean, that without all the pro benefits the Olympics is one of the highest honours and chances of success an amateur can get, but it's almost like stopping people because of their success.

 

[Lord Camomile]

I think the tennis final is certainly gonna be nadal v federer. So one of those countries are guaranteed a gold medal, thing is with tennis those two are high above the rest, so its very unfair in that sport.

How's that any different from having favourites in all the other sports? Michael Phelps in the swimming, Bolt/Gay/Powel in the 100m? All sports have their favourites, regardless of amateur/pro make-up.

 

[TrippyLondoner]

How's that any different from having favourites in all the other sports? Michael Phelps in the swimming, Bolt/Gay/Powel in the 100m? All sports have their favourites, regardless of amateur/pro make-up.

I understand that, think the point is the olympics historically isn't meant to be for guys like nadal, federer, etc.

 

[Lord Camomile]

I understand that, think the point is the olympics historically isn't meant to be for guys like nadal, federer, etc.

And what exactly do you mean by "guys like nadal, federer, etc"?!?! Racialist!!

 

[TrippyLondoner]

Ah shut up.

 

[Melinda]

an american college basketball side could probably win the gold tbh

That is the thinking behind the other US 'Dream Team' attitudes since 1992. They roll into town talking smack, thinking because they are in the NBA they only have to show up to claim the medal. So often they trip up over their own arrogant arses.

Piss poor showing at the 2002 World Champs- they won fuck all and came WAY down the table.

They won the bronze medal in Athens - losing three games!

They are insular and arrogant way beyond what is seemly. Fuck them.

 

[Melinda]

A large proportion of the athletes there, especially from larger countries with state sponsored olympic programs, will be professional. I don't see how it's very different from the tennis pros or football players.

State sponsored susbsistence/ Lottery handouts vs the facilities, medical specialists and individual coaching time that being a millionaire pro can get you?!

Different league mate!

 

[Diamond]

I'm not quite sure what you're getting at. Are you just pissed off that there are millionaires there?

Most of the athletes are professionals. Most will come from very wealthy, very expert olympic programs and most will earn a good wage.

Corinthian spirit and the amateurs went out a while ago.

 

[Aldebaran]

I think one of the amateur teams is the Belgian hockey team (ranked 10the best in the world). It would be funny to hear they gave all the over-sponsored over-paid professionals a beating

salaam.

 

[weltweit]

But some organising bodies do not permit Pros hence no Tyson v Holyfield types in the boxing (and no Amir Khan now) yet in tennis pros are permitted .. just does not seem to make sense.

 

[stavros]

I'm not quite sure what you're getting at. Are you just pissed off that there are millionaires there?

I think it's more wondering why we can't send Khan, Hatton, Calzaghe, etc.

 

[ScallyWag II]

I get what you're saying about the like-for-like competition, and Im scratching my head to answer the do 'amateurs and pros compete in the same tournament' - maybe Baldrick will know?/quote]

I ain't Baldrick but one sport that springs to mind is golf.

I think it's more wondering why we can't send Khan, Hatton, Calzaghe, etc.

The purse maybe? How many millions would they make for a fight at the olympics compared to a world championship fight? Do the TV networks that host the major boxing champs have any interest in the olympics? Or am i being cynical?

 

[Melinda]

ScallyWag, thanks for answering! you e'nt Baldrick but you'll do!

In Golf, dont they operate a handicap system in pro-am tournaments?

The only reason I know that is a recent Radio 4 programme about the growth of golf and sponsorship.

 

[twistedAM]

The purse maybe? How many millions would they make for a fight at the olympics compared to a world championship fight? Do the TV networks that host the major boxing champs have any interest in the olympics? Or am i being cynical?

It would also be political chaos. Boxing has about five worldwide governing bodies and most if not all of those have partnership agreements with TV networks.

No one would ever agree mainly because then we would have an undisputed champion of the world and that would be no good to the money men in the sport.

 

[Detroit City]

Ive been rather sickened at the sight of Kobe Bryant and his team rolling into Beijing and the clamour and adulation surrounding them. Kobe Bryant?! That's fair!

Unfortunately, Melinda, the Olympics have become a parody of themselves...this is one perfect example.

 

[Melinda]

Unfortunately, Melinda, the Olympics have become a parody of themselves...this is one perfect example.

What has the coverage been like at your end DC? Are the Dream Team getting more than their fair share of air/pundit time?

What sports are being focused on?