What service do Olympic Athletes provide to society?

Virtualy every occupation that i can think of provides a regular and constant service to society, except Olympic athletes.

Even football/soccer/tennis/e.t.c players provide regular entertainment, but olympic athletes train for six or more years at tax payer expense so they can compete for 10 mins.

Considering the cost of training olympic athletes and factor in all of the troubles with the world i feel the question needs to be asked: "Olympics, what are they good for?"

On the surface it seems like a hell of a lot of money thrown at people pursuing totally selfish goals that have no real benefit to the society that signs the cheques.

I expect a lot of flaming for this, but really, isn't your anger just an emotional response to the question posed.
What i want is an objective opinion.

What do you think ATS?

EDIT: This is simply a question posed for the sake of getting people views on a subject... maybe asking "what do the olympics mean to you?" would have been a better question.

This post is NOT a weapon, so anyone who finds the concepts offensive oughta understand that that was never the intention and if you choose to feel that it is then you will have to nurse that hurt all on your own.

I don't think i could make this any clearer, NOT ABOUT YOU AND YOUR BUTT-HURT.


Consider that when you get angry about this it's because you are assuming that you know what i am thinking, which you certainly do not, so your anger is actually an insult to me. keep it to yourself and stay civil.

reply to post by Raivan31


You do know that these athletes compete in other events every single year besides the Olympics...right???

They don't just train for 4 years and do nothing else.

reply to post by Raivan31


The success of the British Cycling team over the past 8 years has increased the amount of cyclists in the UK to it's highest level. So as well as promoting a healthier lifestyle it, promotes the use of a mode of transport.

More than a million people also started cycling last year, bringing the total number of cyclists to 13 million.

Last year more than £1.5bn was spent on bikes and another £850m on accessories, with the LSE estimating that the cycling industry is now worth some £2.9bn a year.

The report says that regular cyclists take 7.4 sick days per year, compared with 8.7 sick days for non-cyclists, saving around £128m through reduced absenteeism, with projected savings of £2bn over the next 10 years.

www.bbc.co.uk...

I don't know about the USA, but in the UK our athletes are not payed by the tax payer, but through funding, from the lottery and other organisations.

I think another ignorant post by another person who spends too much time thinking America is the evil doer of the world.

I grow tired of the ignorant Americans/or foreigners that lack the education and knowledge to understand National Pride.

Oh but you're just another person that feeds off all the conspiracies and thinks that everything American is and has done is evil.

America should just not compete in the olympics anymore or should just lose every event, would that make you happy?

Cheers to freedom of speech and to allowing anyone, no matter how naive they are to voice their opinion.

What the first 2 posters said..
It brings people together and inspires people to do better and get fitter. Plus.. its damn entertaining to watch imo.

reply to post by Raivan31


I actually feel that the olympics are a very good emotional bonding between nations.

Posting on this forum however is mostly useless..

I keep hearing people thinking that millions of dollars being spent is a waste. They cannot comprehend the magnitude of the money we need.

20 trillion dollars guys.
20,000 Billions
20,000,000 millions

A million is 1 divided by 20,000,000 to get the % of our debt. That's .000005% of the debt if it's 20 trillion

Defence spending is where you should look. I want to stop spending money blowing peoples arms off. I want to stop spending money messing up the world. I want to stop paying back the bankers gambling debt. Tell them to take a hike.

So the clubs that these athletes come from don't provide kids structure and discipline. A community focal point. A way too succeed outside the normal routes of education.

For every athlete at the olympics there are thousands at club level, staying fit and healthy through exercise. If more of this behaviour was encouraged it would benefit all.

The crass commercialism of the games is what should be highlighted. Not the athletes.

Reply to post by Raivan31

You could say the same about poetry, music or literature. Life is about more than just material things. Turn off your TV and get out, so you can start appreciating life a.bit more


Posted Via ATS Mobile: m.abovetopsecret.com

Originally posted by SadButTrue
I think another ignorant post by another person who spends too much time thinking America is the evil doer of the world.

I grow tired of the ignorant Americans/or foreigners that lack the education and knowledge to understand National Pride.

Oh but you're just another person that feeds off all the conspiracies and thinks that everything American is and has done is evil.

America should just not compete in the olympics anymore or should just lose every event, would that make you happy?

Cheers to freedom of speech and to allowing anyone, no matter how naive they are to voice their opinion.

???????????????????????

Chip on your shoulder much?
Never once mentioned America, this has nothing at all to do with America.

They "service" the elites with a distraction from current world events.

This is a time of the year where not just a few countries, but almost the whole world is watching, discussing, analyzing for 2-3 weeks, makes me wonder how much is being swept under the rug...

Athletes don't just compete once every 4 years. They bring revenue from those who are interested.
Based on your logic, you may as well say what is the point of doing anything at all.

Great arguments with logically thought out ideas behind them.

Thats all i asked for.

No need to get all butt-hurt about it.

Thankyou for your OBJECTIVE, un-emotional responses, they really help to contribute to a rational discussion on social concepts.

reply to post by Raivan31


No thank you for your sarcasm..

But you must have missed a few posts.

Originally posted by Raivan31
Great arguments with logically thought out ideas behind them.

Thats all i asked for.

No need to get all butt-hurt about it.

Thankyou for your OBJECTIVE, un-emotional responses, they really help to contribute to a rational discussion on social concepts.

Haha butt-hurt.. That made me laugh..

It's also great to have some positive role models. I'm sick of our society putting these reality Tv celebs in our faces, trying to promote that vapid lifestyle as career choice for young people. Our women athletes have been absolutely amazing, they are articulate, dedicated and very attractive. I'm much happier seeing these people being seen as the real celebrities that our youth should be trying to emulate than "The Only way is Essex" variety.

Originally posted by Raivan31
Even football/soccer/tennis/e.t.c players provide regular entertainment, but olympic athletes train for six or more years at tax payer expense so they can compete for 10 mins.

Not all olympic athletes receive government funding. Such is the case in the USA.

Not all counties have state sponsored programs.

reply to post by SadButTrue


Please show me where in the below text, the word America or US appears?..............

Virtualy every occupation that i can think of provides a regular and constant service to society, except Olympic athletes. Even football/soccer/tennis/e.t.c players provide regular entertainment, but olympic athletes train for six or more years at tax payer expense so they can compete for 10 mins. Considering the cost of training olympic athletes and factor in all of the troubles with the world i feel the question needs to be asked: "Olympics, what are they good for?" On the surface it seems like a hell of a lot of money thrown at people pursuing totally selfish goals that have no real benefit to the society that signs the cheques. I expect a lot of flaming for this, but really, isn't your anger just an emotional response to the question posed. What i want is an objective opinion. What do you think ATS?

I couldn't find them either.................don't be so paranoid - not everyone is out to get you.
Some of us actually enjoy the company of our Yank counterparts

Originally posted by SadButTrue
I think another ignorant post by another person who spends too much time thinking America is the evil doer of the world.

I grow tired of the ignorant Americans/or foreigners that lack the education and knowledge to understand National Pride.

Oh but you're just another person that feeds off all the conspiracies and thinks that everything American is and has done is evil.

America should just not compete in the olympics anymore or should just lose every event, would that make you happy?

Cheers to freedom of speech and to allowing anyone, no matter how naive they are to voice their opinion.

Seriously though, what drug are you on?
I keep reading this and can't help but laugh, how in the hell did you take a social commentary about America from what i posted?

If anything, your comments cast American society into a bad light, that is, for anyone willing to accept you as a representitve of American society.

Nice work

reply to post by Raivan31

Like many others who have already commented, the role of elite athletes goes beyond "10 mins" over 4 years - I think you know that.

Since I can remember the fastest runner, highest jumper, best thrower etc have always been at the forefront of human physical achievement - something to look up to.

For me this was the man.................


So my answer would be "Inspiration" is what these individuals provide - priceless to those who take it on board.

Virtualy every occupation that i can think of provides a regular and constant service to society

I hope you are not referring to Lady GaGa and the likes thereof !!

National Pride
Athletic Entertainment