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Post by Laura (Lori) on Jan 17, 2012 15:17:08 GMT -8
I'm really ambivalent about it, but it was becoming increasingly pointless for the IOC to ban professional athletes, as way too many countries were finding ways to circumvent the rules. It used to be amateur athletes only in the Olympics. If I'm remembering the 'old' rules right, athletes used to be prohibited from accepting income related to their sport (such as endorsement income or prize money) - if they did, they were considered 'professionals', and were not eligible to compete in the Olympics. Again, I'm relying on my memory from decades past, but I think the rules changed drastically because of the success of teams like the Soviet Union and its allies. Those governments pumped massive amounts of money into their athletes and their training, giving them every tool necessary to bring glory and gold to the motherland and more importantly, to the communist ideal. These state-sponsored athletes were hugely successful, resulting in a hue and cry (i.e., 'whining'  ) that they were, in essence, professionals. Other countries' athletes just couldn't compete. Because the playing field was so uneven, the IOC started relaxing the 'amateur' rules - gradually allowing them to receive money from more diverse sources, and finally, in the late 80's, allowing true professionals to compete. Here's an interesting forum discussion from 1996 where an Olympic expert answered questions about the subject: www.pbs.org/newshour/forum/july96/olympics_7-23.htmlFrankly, I don't get a lot of satisfaction out of a USA Basketball 'Dream Team' running the table on the rest of the world - I don't watch basketball, hockey, tennis, etc., during the Olympics (i.e., any of the sports that have obvious 'pro players'), 'cause I can see them on any given Saturday on NBC...  |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2012 21:01:02 GMT -8
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Jan 19, 2012 23:00:06 GMT -8
Wow - I'm shocked about this. Your link on Kevin Pearce was so inspiring - he's doing SO well. I suppose I believed (assumed) that the same would be true for Sarah... |
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Post by dose on Jan 19, 2012 23:09:41 GMT -8
It is really too bad! I now just know her. A few days ago, I read that she injured in the news. I think the bad result that is her may be paralyzed or became a vegetative patient. I really feel some really sad. The campaign is really too dangerous.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2012 19:51:50 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2012 12:52:48 GMT -8
Been there Done that Feel their pain  But this is pretty funny and further relates to what a hot mess it is for the average fan to get their hands on Olympic tickets! Newborns will need tickets for Olympics Share This Story Updated Jan 24, 2012 1:34 PM ET LONDON (AP) Parents who want to attend the 2012 London Olympics will have to buy tickets for their babies to bring them into the venues. London is getting prepared with these venues for the Olympic Games. Organizers said Tuesday that every child — including newborns carried in their parents' arms — must have their own tickets. The rule has panicked pregnant women who bought tickets for themselves but not for their unborn children — and touched off outrage on the powerful British parenting website, Mumsnet. Many infuriated mothers bought Olympic tickets before they became pregnant. Some children's tickets are available for 1 pound ($1.55) but they are not sold for every event, making the problem difficult to rectify. Tickets woes of all kinds have dogged the London Olympics, as demand for seats at Olympic events from July 27-Aug. 12 has far outstripped supply.   |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2012 11:49:48 GMT -8
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Jan 25, 2012 20:18:34 GMT -8
Fraudulent lodgings? Never! (inside joke, y'all) That info you posted about newborns needing tickets - wow, I never even thought about the implications of that for pregnant women, and for those who bought tickets before they became pregnant. Can you imagine how hard (if not impossible) it will be for them to find the extra ticket - not to mention the expense! They probably won't even be able to sit together, lol! |
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therockfairy
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I'll wear my cynicism like a tattoo
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Post by therockfairy on Jan 27, 2012 7:37:11 GMT -8
i tried to get tickets for various events, zilch so far. this ticket business has been a little messy, although, without getting too into it, some people just did not understand the process. To be honest, as much as i would have liked to see an event, id rather watch on TV than try and battle through London to get to venues lol. My friends and I are planning viewing parties at themain events such as Athletic finals  |
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Jan 27, 2012 10:40:35 GMT -8
To be honest, as much as i would have liked to see an event, id rather watch on TV than try and battle through London to get to venues lol. My friends and I are planning viewing parties at themain events such as Athletic finals *High Five* That's my attitude, too! |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2012 10:09:37 GMT -8
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Feb 14, 2012 13:41:44 GMT -8
Oh, that's CUTE!!!  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2012 7:48:05 GMT -8
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Feb 22, 2012 10:52:40 GMT -8
I dug back in my 'files' from recent weeks to find this one regarding SLC's thoughts on the matter - it's a 3-page article, but worth the read: Committee will explore new '22 Olympic bid for Salt Lake CityBy Lisa Riley Roche and Hunter Schwarz / Deseret News / Feb. 8 2012 SALT LAKE CITY — It's official — Utah is considering another Olympic bid. "I think that Olympic fire still burns bright within most Utahns," Gov. Gary Herbert said, promising any decision on a bid for a Winter Games in 2022 or beyond would be based on "fiscal prudence and good governance." His announcement Wednesday of the formation of an exploratory committee came on the 10-year anniversary of the opening ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Games, celebrated a few hours later with the relighting of the Olympic Cauldron at the University of Utah. Read More: www.deseretnews.com/article/705398966/Committee-will-explore-new-22-Olympic-bid-for-Salt-Lake-City.html |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2012 20:57:35 GMT -8
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to assist with some of the medical expenses while sponsors of the event and the Canadian Health Ministry (?) work things out!
