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La Hincha wrote: Also something I read which surprised me about the Brits. If I can find it I will post it.

But apparently for the last 8-10 years they started to identify kids from an early age, who weren't even playing sport but had some unusual athletic quality that could be harnessed. Much like the Chinese have been doing for decades.

I mean some people are better suited to certain sports naturally.

Short arms, powerful build - weightlifting...etc etc

It wouldn't be a case of forcing them to join a program but at least offering them an opportunity to do so.

Ben...that's very much the case with the Russians and the Bolshoi Ballet. They identify potential dancers at a very young age and put them into an academy away from home where they virtually train non-stop. Is it good for a young kid being moved out of the family environment? I'm not sure but it does produce results.

BC wrote: I guess the question which immediately springs to my mind is just how much cash do we splash at athletes so that they can win medals and we as a nation can collectively feel good about ourselves? At days end, should we be concerned if we finish 15th instead of 5th if it means we can divert funding from a select few athletes to more deserving causes back here in Oz? I'm not convinced either way but do think there comes a point when we have to say..is it all worth it?

I agree mate and having lived in a country with no decent social security net, I've seen the poverty, then the crime that results. Then the barbed wire and high walls around houses. Maybe I would try and pickpocket as well if I had nothing. I couldn't promise otherwise because I'm lucky and comfortable.

Having said that, there is enough money to go around. Time some of the multi-nationals payed their taxes. BH mentioned the British lottery.

The world is heading to a bad spot with 98% of the world's wealth controlled by 2% of the people. Soon to be 99/1. How did we get to this place.

BC wrote:

La Hincha wrote: Also something I read which surprised me about the Brits. If I can find it I will post it.

But apparently for the last 8-10 years they started to identify kids from an early age, who weren't even playing sport but had some unusual athletic quality that could be harnessed. Much like the Chinese have been doing for decades.

I mean some people are better suited to certain sports naturally.

Short arms, powerful build - weightlifting...etc etc

It wouldn't be a case of forcing them to join a program but at least offering them an opportunity to do so.

Ben...that's very much the case with the Russians and the Bolshoi Ballet. They identify potential dancers at a very young age and put them into an academy away from home where they virtually train non-stop. Is it good for a young kid being moved out of the family environment? I'm not sure but it does produce results.

I don't reckon the Brits would be forcing them like the Russians...just offering...

I think the Olympics have lost their shine simply because it's gone from being an athletics carnival to including any bloody sport on the planet that can help raise capital. Once the skateboarding, skydiving, basejumping, surfing etc etc etc get included I'm sure the Olympics will have evolved in to just another leg on the world tour of so many sports. Then there is E sport which once it takes over the world as it will do over the next 20 years we will have Olympic Gold Medals being awarded to the best computer gamer boys and girls across the globe. God help them if the hackers from census night get involved. Completely lost its lustre for me and with the inclusion of so many sports outside the Track & Field Athletics I can also foresee the complete demise of Athletics as we know them in the Olympics. Lets face it, we basically are just getting the highlight reel of the less popular events already.

BC,,BH has also spoke about the cost per medal to the Australian taxpayer and if its value for money for the taxpayer.Team GB poached all our Valadrome coaches a few years back and look where both cycling teams are at.
Coaches the current crop of Olympians may just not be as good as they where 10 years ago.We also dont have an out and out Champion in our team ie Thorpe,Gould,Hooker,Freeman+the team sports are struggling also in Rio.Maby the World has just caught up to us and now overtaken us.Team GB,Japan,Korea..

I don't disagree DW...I think the rationale for bringing in sports like surfing, BMX, skateboarding etc is to engage with the younger generation so the Games remain relevant but for mine, I think it's moving too much from tradition and losing its values. The motto "Citius, Altius, Fortius" will mean nothing in a few years.

gtrxuone wrote: BC,,BH has also spoke about the cost per medal to the Australian taxpayer and if its value for money for the taxpayer.Team GB poached all our Valadrome coaches a few years back and look where both cycling teams are at.
Coaches the current crop of Olympians may just not be as good as they where 10 years ago.We also dont have an out and out Champion in our team ie Thorpe,Gould,Hooker,Freeman+the team sports are struggling also in Rio.Maby the World has just caught up to us and now overtaken us.Team GB,Japan,Korea..

I don't necessarily agree gtr given we had a number of world record holders, world champions and number 1 rated athletes/teams coming into the games who haven't performed. If our current crop of coaches can get them to the top immediately before the Olympics then surely they can guide them to gold medal performances.

BC wrote:

gtrxuone wrote: BC,,BH has also spoke about the cost per medal to the Australian taxpayer and if its value for money for the taxpayer.Team GB poached all our Valadrome coaches a few years back and look where both cycling teams are at.
Coaches the current crop of Olympians may just not be as good as they where 10 years ago.We also dont have an out and out Champion in our team ie Thorpe,Gould,Hooker,Freeman+the team sports are struggling also in Rio.Maby the World has just caught up to us and now overtaken us.Team GB,Japan,Korea..

I don't necessarily agree gtr given we had a number of world record holders, world champions and number 1 rated athletes/teams coming into the games who haven't performed. If our current crop of coaches can get them to the top immediately before the Olympics then surely they can guide them to gold medal performances.

That's the disappointing thing about these games, especially the swimming. We actually had the best ranked competitors and they flopped.

Maybe they do everything they can to get qualified in the team and then once they do they take the foot off the pedal? Six months out is a long time for a swimming trial.

The one that's really amazed me was our lack of Boxers.

Maybe specialising in the Heimlich Manoeuvre should be a pre requisite for Aus future Olympic coaches especially for the swim & hockey!