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A bit overstated, sir. At this moment, the Olympics have awarded 133 medals (one for a tie for bronze). I hardly think Auburn students/graduates, estimable institution though it may be, have captured 44 medals to date in the competition.

I've no quarrel at all with Auburn, or indeed any 'university' bar my own -- which I have disowned completely -- but the notion of univesities as sports factories, esp. those on the taxpayer's dollar, i.e. 'state' schools as opposed to private institutions, is offensive in the extreme.

Taking nothing away from Miss Coventry, do please explain in detail why any 10 cents of my and others' tax dollars should be forcibly extracted in order to train athletes, whether for professional sport or for the Olympics.

TIA.

My apologies. Misread your post. Miss Coventry has earned 1 medal so far, and certainly will earn others. I presume the US team has an Auburn-related graduate here and there -- but have they earned, among them, 3 more medals in the Games to date? Which events (I'd like to know, please)?

If so, congratulations to your school. If not, then -- as noted -- your claim is a bit overstated.

SAJ, you ask me to “explain in detail why any 10 cents of my and others’ tax dollars should be forcibly extracted in order to train athletes, whether for professional sport or for the Olympics.” I can’t explain it with any degree of sincerity because I don’t think your or any American’s $ should be used to train athletes from foreign countries. I was simply proud of her for what she accomplished, that’s all.