Pro or amateur

[Sylvain]

With everything that is going on in the world of sports I would like to know if people think that the Olympic should be for non-pro or professional athletes participating in the game. I personally think that for most sports there is one event that all Pro can participate to try to make their country the best in that field, but I also think that Non-Pro should also be able to have a chance at an event that would give them a chance to shine and perhaps be notice and make it to the big league.

So here is my question "should Pro athletes be allowed to participate in the Olympics or should it be only for Non-pro athletes".


I did not make this as a survey has I want people to be able to input their 0.02

 

[simbrooks]

I think it should be non-pro's only, i dont like the pro's going and doing it for free just to get a medal - not sporting to me. I know amateurs often have coachs and training, but it just seems so false when someone who gets paid to do it day in and day out, plus training etc drop on by, doesnt make them heroes to me when compared to the amateurs doing it off their own backs.

Saying that the olympics really dont get me going, summer or winter.

 

[The Kraken]

Oh geeezzzzzz !!!!

Amateur only.
In fact, I feel that the only events that should be allowed are those which incorporate the use of the human body only, with the exception of the ancient ones such as the discus and javelin.

One area of events with which I am totally opposed is the equestrian events.

I don't think one competitor should be able to have advantage over another with respect to technology, such as snow skis, rifles, bows, canoes, etc. Take out the shooting, skiing, volleyball, rowing, kayaking . . . ad nauseum.

Keep it to track and field, gymnastics and swimming.

Fencing, epee and saber are OK but only if the winner draws blood.

The olympic games are about the human condition.

The original games were for amateur athletes, but if I'm not mistaken, after a while it evolved into stables of kept athletes.

But, I'm in favor of amateur athletes only.

 

[Sylvain]

15 people viewd but only 2 has put an input. Dont tell me that you are reading this and have no point of view or let me guess you are all in full body cast and cant use a keyboard all your fingers are broken....... If you can view it you can comment on it!!!!!!

 

[freediver]

I think it should be open to anyone GOOD enough to make the olympic team. Simply being on a pro sports team does not make an athlete the world's best. I believe the US Olympic basketball team showed us that!
Being a professional athlete does not give one an unfair advantage. There are many amateur athletes who have more talent than professional athletes and in the Olympic trials, making the team depends on who is most gifted and/or talented. Paying a pro a huge salary should not preclude them from being an Olympic team member. Amateurs and pros reached their levels through the same thing: hard work.

 

[jonnythan]

I agree with freediver. The requirement to be amateur only forces those good enough to compete in the olympics to stay out of the pros for no good reason.

I want the Olympics to be the ultimate display of human ability. I don't care if the people get paid for it when they go back home.

 

[adder70]

I believe it should be amateur only, but defining "amateur" is the sticky point. Olympic hopefuls live off of their families or donations to the olympic fund, and people in the strongly socialist regimes (China, USSR, old East Germany) get great pay for essentially being professional athletes on long term "sabbatical" from high paying jobs of which they have no knowledge.

 

[jiveturkey]

I vote for all amateur. Only amateurs should compete at the olympics.....except for men's hockey. For that one they should allow the pros to play.

 

[CBulla]

Amature only - only those who are supported by the Atheletes fund as hopefuls should be allowed to participate. A case in point is our wonderful basketball team this past Olympics. I'm sure there are many more college players who could have put a lot more heart felt effort into the game than our multimillion dollar payroll team did.