Why do the Olympics allow pro basketball players to participate, but they don't allow pro's in other events?

Question

Why do the Olympics allow pro basketball players to participate, but they don't allow pro's in other events?

Answer 1

They do!

Look at Rafa...

Answer 2

good question!

In my opinnion, BB is a GAME that almost anyone can try and be "good" at...not a true Olympic Sport...same as Baseball, Ping-Pong (table teniss), Rifle Shooting, etc.

I'm an Elite Competitive Gymnast (national team member).....anyone can dribble a ball....ALMOST NO-ONE can tumble and fly trought the air without first killing themselves. Olympic sports should make people whonder how's it even possible to do the stuff they see there.

Many people like me, train 4 years JUST FOR THAT MOMENT, because our sports aren't common GAMES like basketball , baseball, ping-pong, etc that most people can play.... and the Olympics are one of the veeeeery few mommnets we have to shine to the world and inspire people to get off of their buts and do something for their lifes.

Answer 3

Actually pros are allowed in most sports that have professional leagues. Not just basketball, they allow pros in tennis, hockey, table tennis, and soccer. Probably more than that but I can't think of them because most olympic sports have no pro leagues. There's no pro modern pentathlon, athletics isn't considered professional, even though it is really... Triathlon is all for prize money too though the better ones call themselves pro. No professional badminton, at least there's no business being a professional badminton! Not to bad-mouth badminton but come on...

Answer 4

They do allow professionals in other sports.  

Answer 5

It is up to the international governing body of each sport to set up their own rules.  FIBA allows pros.  Simple as that.

Answer 6

they should allow pros in all sports, olympics should be about the best  

Answer 7

Not good enough amateurs.

Answer 8

The rules vary by sport but most allow pros.  Like soccer, tennis, baseball, track, ice hockey and swimming.  Michael Phelps and other swimmers are pros, they take money for winning.  Pro Beach volleyball players are in the Olympics.

Answer 9

The Olympics always allowed pros to compete, it was the individual countries that decided whether or not to allow them to compete.  There are plenty of pros in many different events.  In the winter games the NHL suspends it's season while pros play in the Olympics for various countries.

Answer 10

But in football they also allow pro's like Ronaldinho etc. However the team jersey's don't have badges for some reason. In tennis they also allow it like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Answer 11

Prior to 1992, professional athletes were not officially admitted in any Olympic competition. It was the spirit of the Games to participate just for the love of sport.

However, it was obvious that many participants were not completely amateur, so the IOC ended up changing the Olympic Charter, allowing all the athletes in the world to participate.

In 1992 most sports were opened to pros. Boxing remains the only sport where professionals are not admitted, for the safety of the participants.

Answer 12

Because some sports are shown favoritism. No professional athlete should be allowed to compete in the Olympics. If I was a professional basketball player asked to play on the Olympic team....I'd respectively decline the offer. When your a professional you've already shown the world your one of the top elite. The olympics should be a way that amateur athletes have competition between themselves. They don't make the millions of dollars like the pros. Give them more opportunity and make the playing field more level. This is my take in the matter.

Answer 13

Which event that they do not allow the pros to participate if I may ask? The football allows professional to take part. Perhaps you have over look Ronaldinho, Pato, Messi, Anderson, Diego...  

Answer 14

They have pro's in all the events.  volleyball (inddor and out) football/soccer, and anyone who thinks the athletes that don't have pro leagues aren't making money these days are just naive. sprinters and the like, even the not so hot ones are making a living.

Answer 15

that's what i was wondering! i dont think they should allow pros in any sport

Answer 16

Not true - NHL hockey players participate in the Winter games. I believe professional footballers can play as well - many of the events have professionals compete. It is actually fairer that way.

Most of the sports don't have a real professional arena like the NBA, some do. They changed the rules a few years back. When you look back at it, the USSR and other teams that had heavy professional level sponsorship from the state had an unfair advantage over the other countries that sent true amateurs. The students/amateurs from other countries were not receiving a salary, housing, cars and other privileges like the "pros" on the Russian and East German teams. The USSR had career pro hockey players, gymnasts - that was an unfair advantage. It's more even this way, I think as every country can send their best athletes.

Answer 17

Each country's best is what you get when you allow the professional's. If the US didn't send it's best, how would the Gold medal winners feel knowing that they are not the best in the world by a long shot? It would definitely cheapen the medal.