An Olympic Moment

We wax poetic about the ‘amateur’ athlete. Well, we did outgrow that a few years ago with a liberalization/acknowledgment of the graft and corruption already present. As a Hoosier, I know that high school powerhouse teams recruited 14 year olds with lots of payola going back to the 1920. A fraternity brother was recruited by such a powerhouse just up the road. His dad got a new job in that town with a nice salary increase. There was out-of-town recruiting of grade school athletes.

So, what about those other Olympic moments. Well, we know that countries like Cuba don’t have to pay like countries you can leave via the airport. But I have to figure this guy lost whatever perks he had going.

The athlete is Angel Matos of Cuba. The recipient is the Swedish referee who just name the other guy the winner as Angel was determined unable to compete after getting his bell rung.

ADDENDUM:

Various reports indicate that any gold is worth at least $100K. Major events run that close to a million. Then you get to Michael Phelps type athletes. Nike’s CEO is making 7.6 mil in 2008. Got to think that’s going to be chump change to Michael very shortly.

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General Petraeus was interviewed by Newsweek.  He sure doesn’t come across as a politician or as the eternal optimist. That is one hell of a contrast with our political season.  All I can say about that is…thank God.

This entry was posted on Sunday, August 24th, 2008 at 1:30 pm and is filed under Misc..