[SeekAndFind]

The Chinese athletes on the other hand, are mostly handpicked from childhood to be practically the wards of the state. Their parents do have visitation rights, however, it is strictly scheduled.

[crosshairs]

Its not like they’re career Washington politicians where everyone becomes millionaires.

[gorush]

"Both athletes are—at this moment, at least—national heroes and beacons of American patriotism. But the financial strain their years of training put on their families indicates that investing in a future Olympian may not always be a financially sound decision. How did these families get so broke? "

The fact that this question can be seriously asked shows how far we've fallen.

[Veggie Todd]

After the Douglas kid gets her millions, will Mom go back and pay off the people she screwed on her bankruptcy? I bet not!

[suthener]

“who became the first black gymnast”

I know this is off topic, but for God’s sake I hope one day there will be no more “first black” to do whatever. Who cares that she’s black? Who are the people for whom this is important? She is, apparently, an excellent American gymnast. What else matters?

[bray]

Child sports is a big scam to suck the parents dry. Soccer kids pay over 10K a year to be on travel squads.

Pray for America

[livius]

We don’t want the state taking over anybody.

I’m sure the kids will pay back their parents when they win, and if they don’t win, they’ll probably work hard to pay them back one way or another. That’s the sporting ethic.

This is all a pitch for setting up a specially annointed Hero of the Revolution state track for any kid who shows athletic promise.

Sorry, Bambi, they (and their parents) won it for themselves. The state didn’t do it and we don’t need to let the state into it.

[Jane Long]

Maybe she’ll (Gabby) pay off her mom’s debt and then put the rest to good use for her college, etc.

[Eaker]

That means six years, at least, of 30-hour gym days

Thirty hour days are expensive.

[Psycho_Bunny]

If playing games reaches the point that government needs to step in and provide funding, then it’s time to pull the plug.

We can’t afford it.

[Bronco_Buster_FweetHyagh]

#1 - Pick a realistic dream. One out of a million end up a gold medalist or a highly paid professional athlete. The rest end up injured, washed out, teaching gym, or doing gay porn.

#2 - The dream of birthing a truly gifted athlete and ending up on easy street is better described as a nightmare. I cannot tell you how many parents have wasted TENS OF THOUSANDS of dollars trying to will their child into athletic success. If they had spent that same money, that same time teaching and nurturing their kid’s academics as they spent driving/watching/cheering sports, there kid would be 1000% more likely to succeed.

If you want to waste your time and money trying to push your kid down a 1 in a million path to olympic gold or pro-sports riches, that’s fine, that’s your choice, but honestly don’t come crying about it later.

My child can read
vs.
My child can jump

Pick your CD series carefully