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GOHEAVY.COM Olympic Weightlifting Forum
Re: Don, I must disagree!
Posted By: Marty Schnorf (12-203-85-22.client.mchsi.com)
In Response To: Don, I must disagree! (Regis Becker)
Date: Saturday, April 19, 2008, @ 10:03 p.m.
Regis - Good post.I don't just think it is numbers per se; it is that we often don't get a chance at the most talented athletes because of other sports which receive more noteriety, such as football, basketball, etc. Countries like China and Soviet bloc countries do not/did not have that nearly as much.
Indeed, there young kids could somewhat achieve things there(travel, standard of living, etc.) via WL that others might not. Paradoxically, many of our lifters have to sacrifice their standard of living to achieve success in WL as opposed to bettering themseleves as a result.
When I traveled overseas in the 70's several times, I was not nearly as impressed with foreign coaches, especially Soviet bloc coaches, as I expected to be. I think there are, and were, other factors at work, to wit:1. - Recruitment - not just quantity but quality. I am convinced that many of us could develop powerful teams if we could pick out the athletes we want in local schools.
2. - Incentives/rewards - Publicity, future rewards/money, etc., which might attract lifters and help KEEP them.
3. - More coaches and places to lift for those who have talent or interest.
4. - An even playing field re: drugs.I think technique and quality of coaching is part of the problem, but not a major part. We might not be first with an even playing field, or even top 5, but we would move up sharply, in my opinion.
Do away with pro sports, or make WL a pro sport, give scholarships at many colleges, have it as a high school sport on a par with FB and BB, let top lifters make as much as Alex Rodriguez, LeBron James, Tiger Woods, etc., and we would improve drastically. Of course that won't happen.
But, if we could just level the field re: drugs somewhat, I think it would help our lifters compete more evenly with more countries. It would not bring us even by itself but it would help bridge the gap. - Marty
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