13 replies to this topic

[cfm Jeremie]

baron-pierreIV, on Apr 12 2008, 03:11 PM, said:

Aren't these athletes from the AFrican countries that cash-rich but sports-poor nations like Qatar short-tracks to citizenship so that they can get a few medals under their name -- when otherwise they wouldn't have any?

Although it is particularly obvious with Qatar, most nations do that (France, the US for example do it, in more subtle ways).
Granted, the US would still win loads of medals without doing so

[baron-pierreIV]

cfm Jeremie, on Apr 12 2008, 05:11 PM, said:

Although it is particularly obvious with Qatar, most nations do that (France, the US for example do it, in more subtle ways).
Granted, the US would still win loads of medals without doing so

The difference though, jeremie, is that at least for the US, those who opt to become US citizens do so because it is THEIR choice -- and for much larger reasons than sport (i.e., an overall better life after his/her sporting career is over). And the US does not seem to go out of its way to entice athletes away from their native countries. (Even the Russian male ice dancers who come over do so because they have a better chance of getting into the Olympic team vs. the more crowded conditions back in Russia.)

Whereas nations like Qatar, and I am NOT in any way condemning the practice, offer cash incentives, etc., for the sporting honors to bring the nation -- not to create a better life for the immigrant-athletes.

[cfm Jeremie]

baron-pierreIV, on Apr 12 2008, 07:16 PM, said:

Whereas nations like Qatar, and I am NOT in any way condemning the practice, offer cash incentives, etc., for the sporting honors to bring the nation -- not to create a better life for the immigrant-athletes.

Agreed.
It remains that those athletes are probably benefiting from much better conditions in Qatar than in their original country (it's not like Qatar forces those athletes to come to Qatar).

[Aronious]

cfm Jeremie, on Apr 13 2008, 03:50 AM, said:

Agreed.
It remains that those athletes are probably benefiting from much better conditions in Qatar than in their original country (it's not like Qatar forces those athletes to come to Qatar).

The ICC (International Cricket Council) moved its head office to Dubai (to Dubai Sports City i believe) just for the cash...Not sure why, esspecially new considering India's new $150million cricket competition.