Olympic games were originally for amateurs, but the concept of "full-time amateur athlete" as developed in Eastern Block starting 1950's made this completely ri

Olympic games were originally for amateurs, but the concept of "full-time amateur athlete" as developed in Eastern Block starting 1950's made this completely ridiculous by 1970's. Since 1988, the international federations of each sport have been allowed to set the rules for professional participation. For instance, in the largest of global sports, football (soccer), the players can be professionals, but they have to be under 23 years old, with just three over-age players allowed.