Business, not sports

Let me tell you a story:

A couple have five children, all who study real hard and always try their best:
- 1st son finishes his poly diploma, parents delighted
- 2nd daughter makes it to local uni, of course delighted, even tho fail to graduate
- 3rd son make it to local uni AND graduates, parents ecstatic
but none made it to Harvard, which to the couple is their dream.

Not likely the next 2 can make it, so they go to the top JC in Singapore and adopt a girl who is scoring straight 'A's, hoping she can make it to Harvard, but when she gets couple of 'B's in J2, couple get antsy and decide she can't get the Harvard place so they disown her. They then adopt another boy, who finally manages to make it to Harvard.

Do the parents feel as proud of the child they adopted for the sole purpose of seeing one of their children go through Harvard, or do they feel prouder of the children who they raised and managed to achieve something? (Oops, meanwhile, what happened to the 4th and 5th children? As long as didn't make it to Harvard, dunno dun care?)

I think you know where I'm going with this. Our table tennis girls gonna win an Olympics silver medal, swimming girl gets 5th in a final and sets Asian record. Do I feel happy for my country, proud even? I'm sorry, but I don't. If anything, I feel sad for the day one of the true Singaporeans wins a medal, it won't be the same cos it won't be the medal that ends years of waiting for Singapore.

We bring them in for the sole purpose of winning a medal, then cut their funding or send them back when they don't perform. Is that what sports is about? Winning, at all costs? Not for me it's not.

I am supposed to consider you Singaporean? Did you come because you fell in love with our island-nation, our culture? Nothing to do with the better chance to participate in the Olympics, nevermind which country you represent? Just cos you ask to carry the flag, sing the anthem during National Day, I'm gonna see you as Singaporean? Nah.

It's not like you happen to come here in your youth and grew to see Singapore as your home. It's a classic transaction, willing buyer willing seller - we needed an athlete capable of winning a medal, you needed a country willing / able to give you the opportunity. Business, not sports.

So, congratulations girls, on winning a medal. Don't get me wrong, I am happy for you, just not more than I am for Phelps winning 8 golds or Nadal winning gold.

I'm sure many will disagree with my opinion, probably one of the strongest I've ever posted. I'm curious to hear the reaction. :)