PS “Maraschino” eh? I always knew most Liverpool players were fruits

Playing in the Olympic football tounament in China would have to be a million times better and more satisfying personally than jogging around some training pitch in the suburbs of Istanbul.

Playing for a club week in week out is all very well and good, but the Olympics only comes along once every four years and for players like Kewell, the opportunity may never come along again. If it truly was always his dream, he surely would have made sure he was in the squad.

Call me a bit of a traditionalist and a sucker for the national anthem, but I never got to play for my country and would’ve given my right arm (not leg) to do so. These guys are good enough, get asked to and then turn their noses up at it. Gets me riled every time.

Harry, Bruce and Nathan have just as much chance of getting a season ending injury training with mad Turks and Greeks competing for limited first team places as they would’ve playing for Australia at the Olympics.
I bet that all 3 of them (if they stay injury free) will probably sit out the first part of the season for their club on the bench anyway.

“In fact, playing for England left me with a big price to pay in more ways than one.

As a kid, I had represented England at Under 16, 18, 21 and B-team level. It was my dream to represent my country.”

Is, then, the real role of the Olympics in modern sport to promote development of elite under-23 sportspersons on the world stage? If so, once again Arnold’s selection of the older eligible players could perhaps be called into question as being contrary to the spirit of the games.

In terms of the biggest sporting event that you touched on above, its undoubtedly the world cup. I read an interesting article a coupel years back comparing the Olympics to the World Cup ie sponsorship, ratings etc etc. The world cup won hands down. The Olympics are number 2 followed by the Euro’s. To all Rugby Fans, yes it is the Euros and not the the rugby world cup

one clarification, rugby is not an Olympic sport, and I for one, hope it never becomes one – it cannot be played within a 2 week period, and we have enough issues with bullshit touring sides.

The Olympics should be regarded as the pinnacle in a sport, and I believe this is the case in athletics, swimmining, diving, gymnastics and boxing. It is hard to justify having those sports you mentioned on these grounds, although the economic figures you supplied make it harder to drop these sports – were those figures including the Sydney Olympics, because I don’t know if 50% of attendees at the 2000 Olympics were at soccer events, given that crowds to most sports were sold out.

Football, Basketball, Baseball, Tennis, Cycling (Road anyway) – all have Olympic glory a fair way down the list of achievements.

Sure, they might come out like Harry Kewell did initially and promote the Games, but in reality, they could care less.

Regarding Bruce Djite and Nathan Burns missing out on Olyroos selection, don’t be surprised if the decision wasn’t made by Nathan and Bruce themselves.

Aside from a few of the minor sports everything at the Olympics is professional now. On football at the Olympics FIFA was on the verge of withdrawing from the Olympics in the mid 90’s. FIFA were talked into staying the problem the Olympics is on when the European leagues are going, and FIFA have their own world cup for the best and did not want the Olympic saying the Olympic football is bigger than the world cup.

The Olympic did an analysis of the games and determined that just over 50% of the crowd in most games comes from watching the fotball matches and something like 47% of revenue comes from football so if FIFA withdrew the Olympics would collaspe.

FIFA agreed to stay with the U 23 comp, but asked the Olympic (which is close to half made up of FIFA officals) committee to get revenue from a wider base, thus tennis, golf and rugby were brought in to help increase revenue so some of the minor sports could continue to be played.

On HK ………. he was flogged to death by O’Leary, said his body was breaking down and could not get back to play for Australia ……… many said BS ……… at the Knob his body breaks down ……….. was not BS.

IMO a person has the right to get paid for playing sport if you are good enough, if you can find time in a sporting life to play for your country and RISK YES RISK (look at Owen) your career then we should say thank you, when the person says I can’t make it say OK, the better post career media deals will go to those that always put their hand up always has.

IMO playing for your nation is an honour but not at the expense of your career.