[Amnorix]

China is notorious for this craziness. I don't even care how many Olympic medals they get compared to us -- they're basically a totalitarian state subjugating the needs of the individuals to the all-consuming need to win medals. It's completely crazy.

Not that US families/individuals don't make huge sacrifices, but what China does is simply nuts.

I'm sure there's others, like North Korea and the old Iraqi regime (Saddam's son, Uday, I think, was in charge) who basically mentally or physically abuse their athletes to improve their Olympic chances. Talk about undermining what the Olympics are supposed to be about...