Should we be funding athletes to the extent we are?
Yes
52%
52%
[20]
No
42%
42%
[16]
Undecided
5%
5%
[2]
Total Votes: 38
Someone-Gone
Member Since: 21 Dec 2015
Location: Gone
Posts: 5117
The cost of the Olympics
Okay, the total UK Sports Fund for the 2012 London Olympics was £264,143,753 plus private sponsorship. No doubt the total will be exceeded for Rio.
Since 2008, 100 million per year has been invested in 1,200 athletes in 47 sports. That averages out at £83,000 per athlete, per year.
The average cost of an Olympic medal is £4.3 million.
So can we afford it, should we be be funding this when there are so many more things to splash the cash on, particularly when a lot of the medal winners then go onto successful careers presenting TV programmes, commentating, sponsorship and/or winning cash rich tournaments? Is there an arguement that it should be like a student loan if your earnings exceed a certain amount?
11th Aug 2016 8:34 am
Bodsy Site Sponsor
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
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It's a bit of a blinkered view to measure it just in terms of cost per medal.
These are athletes that people look up to, yes, it's a lot of money, but when you break that down into how many people play and enjoy the various sports and those that it encourages to take up sport in whatever guise, then it's a no brainier really.Bodsys Brake Bible
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11th Aug 2016 8:47 am
Mr.Tom
Member Since: 01 Jun 2014
Location: St Neots
Posts: 1641
I like the "student loan" type point.
However, some might view athletics like other types of research or royalty - it has an intangible benefit. Improvements in sports science filter down to all of us, better health, etc. trade and ambassadorship, etc. although I am not entirely convinced its certainly plausible.
But then that argument could be used for many, such as Formula1, all the money invested there eventually filters through to general automotive manufacturing which improves everyone lot, so why don't we give £250m a year to F1?
Or, does the fact that the state funds athletics prohibit investment from elsewhere and in a free market economy capital should go to the most appropriate and efficient use. The state has to sponsor athletics as there is not any form of ROI?Sill protection - LED internal lights - LED reverse lights - boot liner - Dog Guard - Rock sliders
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11th Aug 2016 8:49 am
Someone-Gone
Member Since: 21 Dec 2015
Location: Gone
Posts: 5117
There is that to it.
There was an assumption that following on from the London Olympics that there would be a take up in Sports because of the games, but it never transpired.
Anyway, it's an interesting debate.
11th Aug 2016 8:50 am
discoteca
Member Since: 08 Mar 2010
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 1477
It is an interesting debate but I would be quite curious to know how you can evidence this statement:
"There was an assumption that following on from the London Olympics that there would be a take up in Sports because of the games, but it never transpired"
FWIW, from personal experience and what I see, I don't agree with you on it.
The core principle of funding sport seems a reasonable practice to me, it seems likely to me that it's a fair investment (not just in monetary terms), but whether the emphasis gets put in the right place I couldn't say.Current: Discovery 3 06MY (55 reg) HSE Auto Zambezi Silver Allisport Fast Road Intercooler, V8 Brakes, Silicone IC Hoses, EGRs Blanked, Remapped, De-Cat pipe, FBHIC
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11th Aug 2016 9:47 am
Madrilleno
Member Since: 13 Oct 2014
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 1779
Other than inconsistent stats methods, the biggest problem would seem to be cause and coincidence.
Whilst a short term increase in activity after the Olympics could be argued, what about after two years?
What I think can be inferred is that there has not been a SIGNIFICANT increase in sporting activity commensurate with what the implied improvement would be.There are two rules for success,
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11th Aug 2016 9:51 am
Farmer Chalk
Member Since: 07 Mar 2013
Location: Independent Republic of Kentishshire.
Posts: 4191
What is scandalous is the huge amount of empty seats in the arenas....! Most tickets were given to the corporates whom I understand fund a great chunk of it....
However they should have a system where you have to check in 24 hrs before confirming attendance and those that aren't confirmed are released free at the gate the following morning to people who want to see the 'spectacle' .
The horse events to date have had virtually no people attend any of the competitions.... We get more at local gymkahnas....
11th Aug 2016 10:03 am
Hairy Dan
Member Since: 19 Jan 2011
Location: Co. Durham
Posts: 12319
Didn't we have a similar poll for the last Olympics?
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