Quote Originally Posted by Triathlete View Post
Trust me, unless the athlete has outside indorsements they are no where near getting "rich" on the stipidends that the Olympic gives them. Most have to work real jobs just to make ends meet. I know several that if it wasn't for the generosity of a friends couch to crash on wouldn't be able to make ends meet.
The government spends WAY more money on WAY stupider things!
The government does spend money on stupider things but is that a valid arguement for wasting what they do spend. Sure these kids do not get rich while training but I would like to see what the US tax payer pays to train them. Then if they do get successful and win a gold medal they start getting rich on endorsements. At least with overpaid professional athletes you have an owner and fans voluntarily paying for it not another steal from the tax payer for it. As for tax payer funded stadium deals I am against those too.