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Is this that big a deal? I dislike the Chinese Communist Party, but in sport players sacrifice wins and position for stronger teammates all the time. It's rou
by chernevik 4y ago
Is this that big a deal? I dislike the Chinese Communist Party, but in sport players sacrifice wins and position for stronger teammates all the time. It's routine in F1 and the Tour de France.
The cases aren't entirely comparable. F1 drivers and Tour de France racers are highly compensated and they go into races knowing the strategy. Being compelled to lose against your will by your national organization sucks. On the other hand, I expect she went into the Chinese badminton team with some idea that this sort of thing might happen.
- thomasahle 4y agoIt everybody is interested in the Olympics as a battle between nations. It's supposed to be about finding the best individual athlete. Clearly not everyone sees it like that.
- makeitdouble 4y agoIt has been about nations from the start. Nations deciding who will be representing them, and the nation anthem playing on the podium are the most visible side, there's many declarations from the founder to the same effect.
- Ekaros 4y agoIf it truly was individual competition. Nations would not matter in qualifying, there would be unlimited slots for nations if their athletes were good enough.
- makeitdouble 4y agoWhich is basically each sport's yearly world championship, as far as I know. Honestly, instead of trying to improve or tweak the Olympics, straight getting rid of them would help in basically all fronts: no more debt ridden hosting country, no crazy corruptions schemes flying all around, other events an keep their sheer sport focus, centered on the athletes and not where they register their passport. We'd keep events like the Eurovision for the festive and "your nation is worse than mine" parts. It would all be fine.
- beachy 4y agoF1 drivers themselves are just the sharp pointy end of a massive team effort involving hundreds of people and hundreds of millions of dollars. It makes sense that it's not all about them. Badminton players much more a personal endeavour - one person and their racquet turning up and doing battle.
- lmz 4y agoDo you really think there isn't a ton of state funding behind full time athletes? Especially for lower reward sports?
- rtsil 4y agoSacrificing yourself for your teammates is allowed and legal in F1 and road cycling. Deliberately losing a game is forbidden and illegal in badminton.
- jononomo 4y agoYes, it is dishonest to throw a game. You should always try your best. This is seriously kindergarten-level stuff. Also, be kind to people.