Olympics

I think that this kind of training would be too much for most kids. And I'm sure any athlete has those days when they don't think they can do it anymore. But if they spend this much time at something, they must really love it. I kind of envy them being able to spend that much time on something they love. I work all day too and its on stuff I hate like housework. Being an Olympian will be over for most athletes by their mid-twenties, then they can do other things.

Good day... I think that athletes are giving their best and all when it comes to the olympics because it's not only their name is at stake but also the name of their country. They need discipline and concentration through out their training.

It seems like madness. In Australia, university students struggle to pay their fees, and often have to work late into the night in order to make a bit of money for books and lodging. If you are an elite athlete, however, you are taxpayer funded at the sports institute. I often wonder why the athletes are not asked to repay some of that debt when they become 'famous' and are making millions through endorsements - but it doesnt work like that, whereas university students have a huge HECS debt which they begin paying back as soon as they begin their working life. It doesn't seem very fair, somehow. Our country celebrates sportsmen, but not academics.

Cobra, You amaze me with your thoughts. Does your brilliant mind ever take a break? I too wonder what makes these young people give up their lives to pursue this seemingly unattainable trophy. How does it affect their lives emotionally and psychologically once this pursuit is over? I know that I will never understand this need to be the best at whatever one feels the need to pursue. What pressure they place on themselves. Whatever makes you happy! Good luck tomorrow, your first day back. leenie

Hi,my friend. My mom used to like athletes so much that she was looking forward to the possiblity of her grandchildren becoming athletes too. I told her to think of the hardship and the life of an athlete instead of looking at the glamor he/she shows on stage. She finally come to know this and gave up of the idea. It's not an easy and promising job but the world needs it. Sports somehow symbolize part of human being's warrior spirits. I watched a talk show of the first gold prize winner in China which is my country. She comes from a poor remote village and her parents work very hard to keep ends meet. This lady chose weight-lifting as her career and eventually won the Olympic gold medal! It's surely very hard for her to get this medal. She is reported that she had only been home 3 times within 12 years! But with this honor and prize, her life has changed to be the better and so her whole family benefits. Every trade has heroes and so does sports. They are not OCD patient lol but people who take sport as their life career.

Great discussion here! As a former athlete myself, the drive of becoming the best is the main reason why athletes do anything and everything to win. I don't think that it is a case of OCD...Too much pride I guess...

I mean Olympics comes once in four years-if giving all best means missing out on other human tendencies, so be it! Remember, the acolade of a gold brings glory to both the individuals and the national flag, so olympic is not as small matter as it appears-it deserves everything!

Hmm..When I think of obsessive compulsive disorders, I think more on the lines of annoying habits that can't be shaken off. But it is different for the Olympians- this is their passion, their chance for glory, their talents, their efforts and basically their life. So I believe it's quite hard to compare with a hypothetical situation like the one you proposed. Many forget that the media and government can put a tremendous amount of pressure on the Olympians as well; forget about the inhuman training they are put through from a young age and the mental conditioning they have undergone- take the Chinese shooters for instance. Two World No. 1s crumbled- Qihan who won the male's gold in Athens had to settle for silver and the female number one faced with the onslaught of the Chinese public and media, fell to 5th place and both left crying. I guess what I am trying to say is that there are a lot of factors that are contributing to the preparations and performances of the Olympians so it's fairly difficult to judge- though I do agree with your sentiment about the athletes leading a normal life..maybe when they retire? Sporting careers are not exactly the most long-lived...

hello, first please tell me what is a OCD patient, what does it stand for. second, you have a point there. they spend much of their time on coaching, sports have become a career for them, the solely goal at least in short term. third, i wonder, if they put all that energy on developing cities or scientif research or welfare activities or volunteer schemes, wouldn't it be more fruitful?