Olympic champion Cheek donates prize money to Darfur

Yahoo! Sports ^ | 2/14/2006 | n/a

[Pyro7480]

This guy is a class act!

[My2Cents]

I was unaware that there was cash prize money connected to Olympic medals.

[Pyro7480]

Not directly, but the national committee gives it to them.

[My2Cents]

Interesting. Then good on Cheek.

[Ditto]

Olympians get prize money now? I knew they were allowed to be "professionals" but I didn't know that the were given money for winning.

Ol Avey Bundridge(sp?) must be spinning in his grave.

[RexBeach]

That's why it ain't the Olympics anymore. There's no such thing as amateur standing.

I think it's a shame that it has come to this.

Must admit I haven't watched a lick of the Olympics. What kind of "overnights" are the Games getting?

[Puppage]

I think it's a shame that it has come to this

I couldn't agree more.

We will never experience another victory like the 1980 men's hockey team.

[My2Cents]

I'm with you. I have a hard time getting up for the American athletes because they all now come across as spoiled, pampered, and arrogant. But this is great that Cheek has decided to donate his winnings.

BTW, I've watched about ten minutes of the Olympics so far -- saw Cheek's first run, but didn't bother staying around for the second.

[RexBeach]

Now THAT was exciting and wonderful. And patriotic!

I remember the Rome Games in 1960 when Wilma Rudolph performed so fantastically. That was more than sport. It was historic and a terrific example for all of us.

Now we see athletes who spend their entire lives getting ready for these games - and little else.

Notice how the teams march into stadiums these days? They walk in like they're a bunch of tourists who've never seen the joint before. Years ago, all the teams used to march in, and smartly at that. There was a certain elegance and dash to that. It would make you proud of your country. Not anymore. It's "I'm here for me...the Hell with everything else."

The athlete mentioned in this thread is obviously the exception who makes the rule. Good for him.

[RunnerMom]

When I read about this I thought, how neat if the athletes competed to help others, in other words, all proceeds from winning would go directly to helping others, like those in the Darfur region. I wonder if the Olympics would hold a different meaning for those competing as well as other countries.

[CBart95]

Rex-dawgie?

Magnaminity old Dear.

Please wait your turn for the Champion's moment in the Sun.

No matter how we all may agree on the subject you advocate for, yours is the equivalent to "has Mr. Cheney submitted his resignation?" at the WH press conference yesterday. As the spokesman aptly replied: "That's an absurd thing to utter ".

Lest you be dubbed the"Turin David Gregory".

[kajingawd]

Different countries have been giving their * winners * money, lodging, jobs, royalties...

This has been going on for decades, nothing new under the sun.

[Freee-dame]

That's why it ain't the Olympics anymore. There's no such thing as amateur standing.

I lost interest in the Olympics for a few cycles after (our) pros were permitted. When I remembered that they are the very best in the world at some athletic skill, I decided to enjoy them as they are. No one can accomplish what these skaters, skiiers, etc. do unless he is unbelievably talented and dedicated to training.

[Diplomat]

There's no such thing as amateur standing.

And there was never a "professional athlete" from a communist country, either. In spite of the fact that they were being paid by their government to be an athlete.

[Heyworth]

And there was never a "professional athlete" from a communist country, either. In spite of the fact that they were being paid by their government to be an athlete.

The whole conceit of "amateur" athletes was always a very Victorian-era class-driven phenomenon, allowing "gentlemen of means" to compete against each other without having to deal with the riff-raff who might be better, but whose "integrity" as athletes had been compromised because they weren't rich and had to make a living.

[RexBeach]

The Turin David Gregory?

Thanks for the advice, I feel better now.

[netmilsmom]

>>We will never experience another victory like the 1980 men's hockey team<<

Ya got that right!!!!!!!
I was a teenager and remember being in tears with that win!!

[alisasny]

OUR TRUE AMATUERS beat their pros and during the COLD WAR.

That was wonderful.

I have been turned off by the group sports ever since Olympic Basketball went pro.

[Diplomat]

Well stated.

[netmilsmom]

>>OUR TRUE AMATUERS beat their pros and during the COLD WAR.<<

Amen!!