Like most Aussies, I love sport. But this Olympics rubbish has gone way too far.
What are we doing running third? Bloomie has crack at China today:
This state-driven method to achieve international sporting victories comes with deep pockets. Medals cost money. China’s budget for sports this year stands at more than $1 billion. Compare that to Australia, which also does pretty well in Olympic competitions, but last year only had around a quarter of that at its disposal. American athletes don’t get money from the government, instead they rely on a mix of private sponsorships, philanthropy, broadcast revenue and endorsements.
That equates to about 80 cents per head of Chinese population. Australia spends $15 per head. That is US dollars.
If we are going to label certain Olympic budgets as fascistic then Australia is at the top of the list.
To wit, is this money well spent? The Olympics is a circus, opium for the masses, while Australian oligarchs have their way with the nation:
An Aussie swim star has described mining magnate Gina Rinehart as the “godmother” of the nation’s swim team, as she treated Olympians to a celebratory boat cruise in Paris.
Billionaire Rinehart bankrolls more than 90 Olympic and Paralympic athletes, including stars Ariarne Titmus, Kaylee McKeown, Mollie O’Callaghan, Kyle Chalmers and Emma McKeon.
The 70-year-old is worth a reported $46.3 billion (US$30.2b), according to Forbes.
She cut a glamorous host as she welcomed swimming and rowing athletes, and special guests, aboard a cruise of the Seine on Tuesday morning (AEST).
As Australia becomes less nation and more rent-seeker piss pot, circuses like the Olympics and ANZAC Day rise to ever greater prominence.
Give me my 20 bucks back.
