Is spending close to $17 million on every gold medal won by an Australian good value for money?

Question

Hey guys, do you believe that it is good value for money for approximately $17 million to be spent every time a gold medal is won by an Australian at the Beijing olympics? cheers

Answer 1

Of course thats the way how Aussies tell the world "Hi! we're still here!!" Otherwise nobody would have thought of them...

Answer 2

The AIS (Australian Institute of Sport) would be very expensive to run per annum.

I don't think very much of that money would actually be going into the pockets of the athletes.

The money comes to the athletes after the Olympics from sponsorship and promotional deals.

Answer 3

Well wouldn't you love to have $17 million? well that answer can be finalized by yourself.

Answer 4

Yes USA pay a h**l lot more and so do britain and china and russia and also germany

Answer 5

I would like to see how they work out that $17m but the reality is that elite sport is very expensive and you would find that all countries that have extensive Olympic programs are spending very big dollars I would be very surprised if Australia was anywhere near the top spender.

The unfortunate fact is if you want sporting success you have to pay for it in coaching, scholarships and facilities.

Finally you have to look beyond the cost and look to see what benefits are coming from it.  A persons final opinion of the value is likely to be conditioned by their own attitude to sport.