Have you noticed that in the Olympics...

...we have only done well in the sports that traditionaly you need to be wealthy to succeed in. What does that say aboiut sport in this country. Its still very elitist.

 

Getting to Olympic standard certainly doesn't come cheap.

Most sports exclude a large majority of the population due to the cost.

 

but we dont support those that need the backing - like athletes and swimmers

those that cant afford the equipment and coaching. we should subsidise our talented kids similar to the US scholarship system.

 

Wealthy?

If football at the top level is not wealthy, i don't know what is. The difference is the other althletes whether they are from priviliged backgrounds or not, give their all, unlike bloody England footballers.

 

No we haven't nt

 

I think the BOA have...

...been astute in backing events where significant investment would reap major rewards. With athletics, no matter how much money you plow into it, if you're not starting with the right person you're stuffed. Cycling, rowing and sailing require a mixture of good people, excellent training methods and excellent training facilities. The BOA have been very canny, imho, and backed events that we can get medals in.

 

At what age do you start though? Swimmers are training

9 or 10 times a week from the age of 10. You have tobe fairly well off to be able to do that and there aren't the resources to subsidise the hundreds of kids that are doing it.

 

I'm saying that rowing and sailing involve serious money.

it doesnt cost much to join a running club. I ran at Barnsley harriers for next to nothing. So where is the support for these athletes to take them from talented kids to superstars?