Sport and politics

With the Olympics in full swing, we're hearing a lot about sport.... the emphasis seems to be on 'winning'. What happened to the nobility of competing and representing one's country?

Perhaps too much pressure is placed on athletes to 'perform'. We always need to remember there are around 10,000 athletes from 200 countries - all of whom want to win a medal! It was good to hear Leisel Jones' comments - after not getting a medal - that she as an older swimmer was making way for the 'younger guard'!

Then there is the commercialisation- with major sponsors paying $100 million for the privilege of being a sponsor!

Then there is the politics.
That's the question asked on Q & A last night (click here for program).
"Should athletes make political statements?"
After watching the program, it seemed like the audience and panel thought that was a good thing - the issues mentioned were support for same-sex 'marriage', belief in 'climate change', opposition to 'homophobia', and environmentalism (eg, the UN's Agenda 21, which the Olympic movement adopted in 1992 - source).

It left me wondering - I wonder if they would have been so enthusiastic if a particular athlete was speaking out opposing same-sex 'marriage', not supporting the global warming cause and opposing Agenda 21? I suspect not!