The human potential (Olympics)

[cgallery]

Oh, and BTW, my ultimate question (which I didn't address in my original message--duh), is, WHAT IS THE HUMAN POTENTIAL?

How much longer, as a human race, will we be able to continue to set new records?

At some point, will we set speed records for swimming, running, etc., that future generations will not be able to break?

[Garasaki]

I do wonder whether there is such a thing as [my term] "superstar personality disorder" in high-achieving athletes. Do some athletes properly take into account the hazards when risking them for fame/fortune?

And are these athletes surrounded by coaches, trainers, and organizers that encourage this behavior?

oh absolutely.

Is that a problem? You say you cringe at these athlete's medical historys - there is no one holding a gun to their heads making them come back after an injury. They are doing so of their own free will (perhaps with some encouragement).

The point of my previous post was that these athlete's are at this level because they WANT to come back after these horrific injuries. Their natural predisposition that allows them to come back is also what allows them the potential to become such elite athletes.

[sailor55330]

I used to compete heavily in many sports, but never to the level of the olympians. I had absolutely no chance of ever having any endorsements or fans or really any notoriety. What I did have was the chance to know in my own mind that I was the best I could be. I think that drives a lot of competitive people. Sure, there are some that just want to win and deep down, everyone does want to win. I was that way early when I was competing, then I came to understand internally that no matter how good I became at something, there would always be someone better at some time. Once you realize that, you begin to look at every competition for what it is--a snapshot in time. The good ones know that, the great ones are the ones that can muster it up, leave it all on the field and sleep at night.

My guess is the ones that keep coming back time after time aren't convinced in their own minds that they can't do any better and have peaked. I would wager that the toughest competition any of the olympians face is themselves. Sure, some are there for the chance for endorsements or fame or money or whatever, but deep down, everyone one of them is there to compete and be the best they can on a given day. The other stuff is just a bonus for putting in all the work. Think about it. Do you think any of them said "I'm gonna be a professional skier so that I can earn endorsments". I think they probably had a love and a talent for the sport and reached the pinnacle and now how a chance to benefit from it.

Long rant, sorry, but I have always loved competition and the thrill it brings along with the satisfaction of finding my own personal ragged edge between recklessness and perfection.

Anyone else?

[Pappy]

Many of the olympic athletes are truely amateurs. For those that excel in their sports there are often monetary rewards presented to them, but this is only after many years of sacrifice and dedication to hard training. Think of the gymnists that have the talent coupled with dedication/desire to pursue a dream that they will leave family and friends, moving to a strange city to be trained by the best coaches in the sport.

Skaters often go on to tour with professional groups. A few get offered endorsment deals.

What about the other side of the picture. Realizing that athletes from many countries are in essence 'paid' athletes supported and trained by the state, the IOC opened some sports to professionals in other countries. The 'Dream Team' dominated the games. These men gave up their time to practice and compete, and footed a large part the bill to be there and represent the USA. The Canadian and US hockey teams are made up almost entirely of members of the NHL. They do it for the thrill of competition and National pride.