Dwain Chambers for or against?

[valmarg]

When I was young the Olympic Games were purely for amateurs. I accept that this made them elitist, insofar as only the privileged could compete.

I think the pendulum has swung too far in the other direction. That sportsmen/women can become multimillionaires as a result of their competing in the Olympics is in my opinion wrong, verging on the obscene.

I think the whole Olympic movement should be scrapped. I think it has become a travesty of the original intentions of the games.

valmarg

[Mikey]

When I was young the Olympic Games were purely for amateurs. I accept that this made them elitist, insofar as only the privileged could compete.

I think the pendulum has swung too far in the other direction. That sportsmen/women can become multimillionaires as a result of their competing in the Olympics is in my opinion wrong, verging on the obscene.

I think the whole Olympic movement should be scrapped. I think it has become a travesty of the original intentions of the games.

valmarg

I think the problem here is we no longer live in an amateur world for some sports. There are some within the olympics which are still amateur, weight lifting for one, just because there are some athletes that make a lot of money that isn't a good enough reason to scap it for all the others which do not.

[valmarg]

P.S. I'm glad that the 'cheat' has been excluded from representing Great Britain.

valmarg

[valmarg]

Mikey, it's not so much that the games should be scrapped, but what cannot be justified is the billions of pounds that are required to stage the fiasco.

I think that the 2012 olympics will be nothing more than a terrorist magnet.

valmarg

[Kristen]

I agree, I can't imagine why countries are queing up to host them. Politicians polishing their egos I expect ...

... mind you I expect it will stick in his throat if Blair's Olympics actually turns out to be Brown's Olympics - or Cameron's Olympics, or even Kristen's Olympics

[carlseawolf]

my heart say's .
he did the crime so should face the ban ,but why only for the olympics and not all racing as he will be taking glory / financing away from up and coming youngsters that need the limelight to get financial backing to train for the olympics.

my head say's ,
We don't give extra conditions to prisoners when they leave prison so why should he have extra after his 2 year ban.
If he goes back racing he should be made to take a drugs test before any race he competes in and made to pay for the test himself as he will be the only one benefiting from winning races.

[burnie]

Well , he's not going,on balance that sends the right message out , I think.Cheats never prosper,he knew the risks,gambled and lost.As an individual he can still compete in athletics,which is ok I guess,done his time and all that,he (and others like him)can't be allowed to taint a whole teams performances.

[Starchild]

The olympic team has a different governing body to other teams. The team is specifically picked by BOC (British Olympic Commitee). All those wishing an Olympic place must abide by their rules. Their rules are...lifetime ban.
End of.