Tuesday, August 12, 2008
A new rule
I thought the Olympics were supposed to be for amateurs. Basketball in particular bothers me. I guess it's fun to see a reprise of the All-Star game, but they're not a real team. I propose a new rule: If I've seen you on Cribs, you don't belong in the Olympics.
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3 comments:
Are you old enough to remember when they had that rule?
I used to think the same thing until Husband pointed out that some of these governments (like China and Russia) start training their athletes from the age of 3. They train all day, every day for years. Just because they don't have a professional circuit like the NBA or the MLB, doesn't mean they shouldn't be considered professionals, in fact, that is why they changed the rule.
You probably don't remember it because you are such a young spring chicken, but the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" was such a huge upset because the Soviet Union Olympic team had been playing and practicing together for something like 10 years and they had the worlds best goalie. The American team was made up of truly amateur college kids. Our "professionals" might get more money and fame than their Olympians, but I think their amateurs are required to be train more "professionally" than our professionals.
Don't mind me, I am just an Olympic freak! Your Cribs comment was cute!
Yeah, I know all that. But still. I think was irritates me most is that they're not a real "team". They're a collection of players. It almost makes me root for the opponents, just to see their egos go down. Then they'll have to go home and cry and count their money to console themselves.
I see your point, but this year's b-ball team could be considered a team. They were initially asked to play for the USA three years ago. In the off-seasons of the NBA they have practiced and played together, including in world tournaments (which they did not win). So, they are more of a team than past ones. If they weren't willing to make the 3 year commitment when asked then they were not put on the team.
Still, it does seem more contrived. And does not seem as authentic as the athletes that play obscure sports and don't get paid for it and work at Home Depot when not training.
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