VOL. XVII, NO. 13
MAY 14, 1976
Viewpoint
America Can Support Its Athletes
America Can Support Its Athletes
By SUE SZILAGYI
Amateur sports is a dominant part of the sports world. Though not commercialized, amateur sports are much more "true" to being sports. As the Olympics are upon us, we will be able to experience the victories and defeats of these athletes.
Much sweat and blood and time and money has gone into an athlete to achieve the point of the Olympics. What is sad about the whole situation is that since U.S. athletes must contribute their own money to their sports, they are often short‑changed. In Europe the athletes are almost totally supported by the government. This gives these athletes a chance to receive the finest training in the finest accommodations and to concentrate wholly on their sport.
Amateur sports is a dominant part of the sports world. Though not commercialized, amateur sports are much more "true" to being sports. As the Olympics are upon us, we will be able to experience the victories and defeats of these athletes.
Much sweat and blood and time and money has gone into an athlete to achieve the point of the Olympics. What is sad about the whole situation is that since U.S. athletes must contribute their own money to their sports, they are often short‑changed. In Europe the athletes are almost totally supported by the government. This gives these athletes a chance to receive the finest training in the finest accommodations and to concentrate wholly on their sport.
American athletes, however, unless they are well‑off "moneywise," must settle on second‑rate teaching in second‑rate facilities., and are sidetracked in time by having to work.
There are two alternatives for this situation. One, the United States could stand behind its athletes and offer them the same support as European athletes, or two, a council to ad amateur athletics of professionalisms should be set up. In my opinion, it is sad when one of the richest countries in the world spends money on useless experiments, such as the one at Carbondale at Southern Illinois University, when it could be putting it to good use by supporting its athletes.
There are two alternatives for this situation. One, the United States could stand behind its athletes and offer them the same support as European athletes, or two, a council to ad amateur athletics of professionalisms should be set up. In my opinion, it is sad when one of the richest countries in the world spends money on useless experiments, such as the one at Carbondale at Southern Illinois University, when it could be putting it to good use by supporting its athletes.