So excited about the Olympics

[troyh]

Ever noticed how African-Americans dominate running, athletics, boxing, basketball, baseball and just about every other sport but not swimming?

has to do with bone density and muscle fibres i believe

Correct.

womens hockey, Kate Hollywood, im in love

can i get a "hell yeah!!!"

Also correct.
Hockeyroos are hot. Love those uniforms.

The only thing I've enjoyed about the last 2 Olympic Games has been Roy & HG's "The Dream". Sadly, I don't think they are doing it this time around.

Roy & HG are guns. They're doing a radio show on Triple J everyday in the afternoon- should be worth a listen.

[Chelsea4thewin]

-1 for the soccer in the olympics

all the other team sports are players at the top of their game striving for excellence, in soccer its the junior teams with a couple of over age players, needs to go

[rcon]

For those that believe Olympic gold isn't about money...

Its only an abstract - I can't find it in full, but the relevant part is highlighted.

The 'price' of Olympic Gold.
Hogan K, Norton K.

School of Physical Education, Exercise and Sport Studies, University of South Australia.

In 1981 the Commonwealth Government established the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) which administers the AIS has 2 objectives: (1) excellence in sports performances; and (2) increased participation in sports and sports activities. State-based institutes of sport have also been established with the same or very similar objectives. Federal policy directs the bulk of the ASC budget to elite athlete programs. A smaller proportion goes towards community participation. The official reason is based on the notion of the 'trickle-down' or 'demonstration' effect. That is, a flow-on of benefits to the broader community in the form of increased participation as a direct result of elite sports success. The aims of this study were to determine the (1) spending pattern to elite sports programs for the 5 Olympics 1976/77 to 1995/96, (2) evidence for the two ASC objectives having been met, and (3) expected medal tally at the 2000 Olympic Games. Results show funding (in 1998 dollars), has accelerated from about $1.2 million (1976/77) to $106 million in (1997/98), particularly since the Games were awarded to Sydney. The total amount spent on elite athletes was $0.918 billion. In the period 1980-96 Australia won 25 gold and 115 total Olympic medals. This equates to approximately $37 million per gold and $8 million per medal in general. There was a significant linear relationship between money spent and total medals won. This was also found when all medal types were analysed independently. The predicted medal tally in 2000 (based on the cost per medal and the expenditure towards Sydney) indicates the medal count will be about 14+/-1 gold, 15+/-2 silver and 33+/-4 bronze. Based on our nation's record of international sporting achievement, there is little doubt we have fulfilled the ASC's first objective. Current data on physical activity patterns of Australians suggest the second objective has not been met. Focusing attention on and achieving the first objective does not appear to have any bearing on the second objective. It is time to revisit the notion that elite sporting success leads to greater mass participation as a result of the so-called 'trickle-down' effect.

[bennymacca]

-1 for the soccer in the olympics

all the other team sports are players at the top of their game striving for excellence, in soccer its the junior teams with a couple of over age players, needs to go

boxing is another one where the best of the best aren't competing.

i think the reason they do it, is because the world cup is the major event on the soccer/football calendar, not the olympics. ill think you'll find that most of the big countries dont really care that much about the olympics (brazil have never won an olympic gold)

There was a significant linear relationship between money spent and total medals won.

anyone who doesnt believe this is kidding themselves. more money = better facilities, better scouting staff, more media coverage which means more or a base to draw talent from...

[Nevah play JJ]

For those that believe Olympic gold isn't about money...
Its only an abstract - I can't find it in full, but the relevant part is highlighted.

Interesting post Rcon.

I don't dispute what you say... but what about the Olympians themselves?
They do need to earn to live, so of course it is about sponsorship for them

But what about when they stand on that podium?
Tell me you don't get a few goosebumps.

When you see someone struggling to finish their event, but working by sheer heart, and love for their sport, you don't get out of your chair and cheer.

You see a small country excel in a particular event and win their first gold you don't get a tear.

It is more than what some people seem to see it in.

The sad thing is we watch he football codes, horse racing, motor racing...
Isn't that all about money also?

[bennymacca]

100% agreed JJ

Watching Eric Moussambani "Eric the eel" compete at the sydney olympics (albeit on tv) was one of the most inspirational things i have ever seen, and is surely what the olympics is all about

edit: does anyone know whether he is competing at China? (wikipedia says he is, but thats not much to go by)

[rcon]

But what about when they stand on that podium?
Tell me you don't get a few goosebumps.

Sorry JJ, I think I answered that in a post I never actually posted Love it!

I love sport for the drama is produces - I'm just not kidding myself about how "good" Australia is. With the right resources, ANY country could perform to a similar standard - possibly better, as they may have a greater talent pool.

I respect the sacrifices athletes make for their sport - not too sure I support recent calls to pay them $100K/year a year tho! Sport should be able to stand on its own commercial feet.

[Nevah play JJ]

I'm just not kidding myself about how "good" Australia is. With the right resources, ANY country could perform to a similar standard - possibly better, as they may have a greater talent pool.

You raise an excellent point.
It would be interesting to watch countries with the exact same resources, money, etc... and see what they can produce.
(Makes athletes sound like machines not people)

Again, one of the differences would be with the *Insert politically correct term here (Black, Negro?? .. Skipping a fine line, sorry to anyone offended by those terms)* athletes and again that is because of their muscular differences.

I guess I just try and see past those differences, eg: richer v's poorer to see the Olympics in some sort of pure form.

If only we could remove the money from the equation.

But this is an awesome discussion!!!!!!

[maccatak11]

For those that believe Olympic gold isn't about money...
Its only an abstract - I can't find it in full, but the relevant part is highlighted.

Yeah, one of the guys who wrote this article was a lecturer of mine at Uni (he sits next to Neil Craig on match days also). I have read the study and it really is very interesting. There is a very clear relationship between spend and medals at olympics. Look for the economic boom in china to make it even more dominant at the olympics.

Very interesting stuff. Extremely political.

On this subject, can anybody name the two Olympic sports that come from non-western backgrounds?

[bennymacca]

judo is one of them