Reason for USA's Olympic domination

[garnet]

Originally Posted by lookout123

do you think that most of the other athletes come from the slums? do you think all of our athletes were born into wealthy families?

I guarantee you any athlete from Russia or Jamaica (or wherever) came from a family with much lower income and a lower standard of living than that the average American althlete's family.

Originally Posted by lookout123

but, are you aware how many NBA players are playing for other countries olympic teams?

At least those guys SHOWED UP to play for their countries.

Originally Posted by lookout123

these folks will be minor celebrities in america for a short time, collect handsomely on commercials and appearances, and then be forgotten until the next olympics.

No, there's not anything wrong with it--I'd do the same thing if I were them. I'm just saying that it doesn't work that way in most other countries.

Originally Posted by lookout123

and do you really believe that the guy from Kazakhstan is going back home to work in a coal mine (or whatever they do there)? he will be every bit the celebrity and source of national pride in his land as our athletes are in ours. and he will fade from their minds quickly, just as ours will.

I know nothing about Kazakhstan, so I wouldn't even venture a guess on that. But I doubt if he will be as "comfortable" for the rest of his life as Carly Patterson or Michael Phelps.