Quote:
Originally Posted by 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...
|
There it is. Soviet Union used to be the same way. Their athletes are basically pros, plucked when young, denied a normal childhood, school life or family life.
Flip side of the coin is the 400 meter gold medalist from the Dominican Republic last night, Felix Sanchez, who ran the race with a picture of his deceased grandma tucked underneath his number on his shirt then got it out after he won and kissed it. Touching. Olympic spirit.