China has long relied on government-sponsored sport schools with the sole purpose of winning glory at the Olympics. On two separate occasions, this strategy worked: at the Beijing Olympics, and this year's Olympics in Tokyo.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/29/world/asia/china-olympics.html
Rooted in the Soviet model, the Chinese system relies on the state to scout tens of thousands of children for full-time training at more than 2,000 government-run sports schools. To maximize its golden harvest, Beijing has focused on less prominent sports that are underfunded in the West or sports that offer multiple Olympic gold medals.
The major downside is for the tens of thousands of children in these sport schools who don't make it to the Olympics. From the article:
"For these castoff athletes, life is often difficult: little education, damaged bodies, few career prospects outside the sports system."
For decades, sport schools in China have ruined the lives of children, sent by their parents to the state in exchange for money. This is becoming less and less of an issue as China's economy continues to grow, but it's still in place.
This makes me think of athletes like Naomi Osaki or Simone Biles, who suffered mental stress, enough to make them quit, from the pressure of the Olympics.
On such a global stage, underperforming isn't just about a personal loss; these athletes feel like they let down an entire nation.
I've always thought people around the globe take sports far too seriously, especially when the major of them don't even play the sports they watch. From crazy football (soccer) fans rioting at games, to douchebag Red Sox fans reacting with violence toward Yankee fans, the obsession with sports is idiotic.
Sports is entertainment. Nothing more. whether one's team wins or loses is meaningless. Nothing changes if one teams wins over another, or if one athlete wins instead of another. No one's life should ever be ruined simply because they couldn't win.
The U.S. and Russia engaged in the same stupidity as what China's doing, using their athletes as proxies during the cold war; most famously, with Fischer vs. Spassky. This is just more proof of the dangers of patriotism. But this is excessive preoccupation with sports needs to end.
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@vivify saidwhat is new about this? this has been going on since the beginning.
This makes me think of athletes like Naomi Osaki or Simone Biles, who suffered mental stress, enough to make them quit, from the pressure of the Olympics.
On such a global stage, underperforming isn't just about a personal loss; these athletes feel like they let down an entire nation.
I've always thought people around the globe take sports far too seriously, especial ...[text shortened]... e proof of the dangers of patriotism. But this is excessive preoccupation with sports needs to end.
What is the issue at this time...woke athletes are losing thats what.
@mott-the-hoople saidIt is about child abuse, numb nuts.
what is new about this? this has been going on since the beginning.
What is the issue at this time...woke athletes are losing thats what.
And that it’s still going on.
@vivify saidThis China based system doesn’t sound a million miles from the US sports scholarship system which often ends in life changing injury for many and monetary gain and glory for the few that transition into adult professional sports
China has long relied on government-sponsored sport schools with the sole purpose of winning glory at the Olympics. On two separate occasions, this strategy worked: at the Beijing Olympics, and this year's Olympics in Tokyo.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/29/world/asia/china-olympics.html
[quote]Rooted in the Soviet model, the Chinese system relies on the state to s ...[text shortened]... is becoming less and less of an issue as China's economy continues to grow, but it's still in place.
@kevcvs57 saidAgreed. That was the reason for my second post.
This China based system doesn’t sound a million miles from the US sports scholarship system which often ends in life changing injury for many and monetary gain and glory for the few that transition into adult professional sports
College athletes are exploited by the NCAA. They make billions from student athletes, yet deny those same athletes the ability to profit or get any endorsements. Their athletes are expected to train for hours a day, at the expense of any education they were supposed to receive; this is unpaid labor, where their only compensation is room and board, since they don't have enough time to properly study.
What China does to young children in the name of sports is horrible; so is what America does to young college athletes.