Date: 8/16/2004 10:54:00 AM
From Authorid: 22308
I agree in some of that but if i was a professional basketball player for the Women's Team, i'd be completely honored to play in the Olympics. It would definitely be a dream of mine, if i played the sport or any sport for that matter. I think it adds a little flair to the game. The whole point to the Olympics is to bring out your best atheletes in your country and compete for medals and win honors. I think everyone should get a chance to pursue something like that no matter who they are.  |
Date: 8/16/2004 10:56:00 AM
From Authorid: 25828
i think the olympic atheletes should be the best in the nation, be them pro or otherwise - that is what the olympics are for, to compete with the best a nation has to offer.  |
Date: 8/16/2004 10:58:00 AM
From Authorid: 24319
I think that it would be better if the players were from College. I've always felt that college players have more heart for their sports. But, because other countries put pro's in, the US had to do the same to keep it even.  |
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Date: 8/16/2004 11:00:00 AM
From Authorid: 24319
And omg, did anyone watch that game? Purto Rico kicked the crap out of the US. I am rooting for the US Women's team. I just love Diana Tourasi (sp?) |
Date: 8/16/2004 11:01:00 AM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 52155
Along the lines of what Carrie said- the pros that go seem to think they belong there, because they are pro, adn don't seem to appreciate it as much as the college players or non-pro's would. and I thought the Olympics started as a showcase for ameteur athletes. Am I wrong there?  |
Date: 8/16/2004 11:02:00 AM
From Authorid: 22992
Hmm i agree with Heather, i think that the Olympics should boast the best athletes period. To me, the Olympics means the best and brightest of any form of athletics.. be they in high school, college, or retired (lol)
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Date: 8/16/2004 11:03:00 AM
From Authorid: 53284
When the olympics were recreated near the turn of the last century, the "amateur" status was pushed by the British high society. That way the rich people could train and compete and they wouldn't have to face working class people. Working class people, back then, wouldn't have had the time to train and also work a job to support themselves. The upper crust didn't want their sons to have to compete against the lower classes. A number of countries support their amateur athelets financially. So my conclusion is why make a fuss about whether or not someone is getting paid. If they are the best, then they should be the ones representatives of their countries.  |
Date: 8/16/2004 11:23:00 AM
From Authorid: 25390
That was an EMBARRASSING game for the US. I think that they just need to bring about the best players, pro or amateur. The bad thing about yesterday's game was that the NBA players had the attitude of "I am pro, I don't NEED to try." And since they basically SLEPT out on the court, they were defeated. They need people there who really WANT to be there.  |
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Date: 8/16/2004 11:55:00 AM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 52155
^^Exactly |
Date: 8/16/2004 12:02:00 PM
From Authorid: 46530
I dont think that it matters whether the athletes are pros or not. The athlete (or team) who plays best and actually wants to win most will generally take the gold. In this case the pros didnt want it and lost. Tough justice in a knockout competition  |
Date: 8/16/2004 12:23:00 PM
From Authorid: 51635
Yes, the games should be for amitures ONLY. I think Jesse Owens(sp) would agree since they took his medals away and deemed him a pro. I also think that if Peurto Rico is going to vote in OUR presidential election that they should send athletes to compete for the US...  |
Date: 8/16/2004 12:26:00 PM
From Authorid: 62249
How does it cheapen it, the olympics are supposed to be comprised of the best athletes.  |
Date: 8/16/2004 1:01:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 52155
That is interesting Wildbob. Thanks.  MCBacon, I think it cheapens it (using basketball as an example,) because other countries (like Peurto Rico) don't have the level of professional sports that we have here, and in years past, didn't stand a chance against the USA Basketball team, because our team is comprised of players that get paid millions and millions of dollars to do nothing but play baskletball. I call it an unfair advantage. (the same can be said for other countries and soccer/football) |
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Date: 8/16/2004 1:08:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 52155
I totally agree ImZP |
Date: 8/16/2004 1:16:00 PM
From Authorid: 13119
I think it is wrong to allow professional athletes compete, they may be the best to some peoples way of thinking but the only reason they are that way is because of the advantages they have had. If half the professional athletes didn't get the pay and perks that they get they wouldn't be playing, they sell themselves to the highest bidder and go for the bucks. An amature athlete does it for the love of the game. Besides which, it is true that not all the countries have the ability to cater to professional athletes that some countries do and that is an unfair advantage.  |
Date: 8/16/2004 1:26:00 PM
From Authorid: 26363
An athlete is an athlete, whether they be professional or what have you.  |
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Date: 8/16/2004 1:46:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 52155
I agree Magoo, and good to see ya. MorningGlory- Noone is saying otherwise... |
Date: 8/16/2004 2:28:00 PM
From Authorid: 50434
I never even thought about it that way. Its a really good idea cause it gives amateur athletes a chance to show there talents. The pros play ever season and get payed plenty. I think maybe the USA thinks they have better chance winning competetion by putting in the pros or fear loss and think it will humilate US. Its a great idea!  |
Date: 8/16/2004 2:48:00 PM
From Authorid: 45630
Okay then. Ian Thorpe must be a pro because he gets paid for sponsorship, Grant Hacket, Peter Van den Hoogenband, Michael Phelps, Marion Jones all of these athletes get paid for what they wear when they perform. As I see it all of these athletes are getting paid. THe American basketball team was a joke because they got complacent, but it is a one off. The beautiful thing about the olympics is that every country on any given day has a chance. The best athletes get to perform against the best athletes and we get to watch a great spectacle.  |
Date: 8/16/2004 2:53:00 PM
From Authorid: 62728
I don't really mind professional athletes competing in the sport until you get into a situation like we have in the men's basketball event. The game of basketball isn't played in the NBA anymore, it's simply one on one and shoot the first shot you get without passing and don't think about playing defense. That's not the game of basketball, and it's not what the rest of the world plays. I think the NBA should change things up or we should find guys who are committed to playing team ball and still understand the fundamentals of the game and not simply an alley oop dunk and the like. -DeltaRebel  |
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Date: 8/16/2004 3:08:00 PM
From Authorid: 62249
But jsut because american basektball players would be better than players form other countries doesnt matter. They have to go through juast as much training as the next guy to get to the level they are at, and it wouldnt be fair the the country to NOT use the best players we possess. |
Date: 8/16/2004 4:23:00 PM
From Authorid: 47218
yes, I've been thinking about this recently, and I totally agree! I was remimiscing on the "Dream Team" in the early 90's and the huge hype about that, because they'd finally changed the rules to allow professional players in, and so we had all the best players from the NBA on one team, and they preceded to pummel all the other teams, because nobody takes basketball half as seriously as we do here in the U.S., and it was the least exciting thing I ever watched. I feel that professional athletes in sports such as basketball and tennis don't take the olympics that seriously (look at all the women dropping out of the women's team), because there are bigger and better paying tournaments in their sport. I'd rather see amateur athletes compete who really feel that they've something at stake.  |
Date: 8/17/2004 2:12:00 PM
From Authorid: 4144
i think it's all a crock. can you believe that days of our lives is not going to be on for two weeks because of the olimpics? 700 chanels on tv and they have to screw with mine!  |
Date: 8/18/2004 2:48:00 PM
From Authorid: 19613
Olympic athletes are suppsoed to be the best in the world. Seems like discrimination to me if you say a person cant compete because they make money at it.  |
