Olympic rant Kim Rhode

[29aholic]

I started shooting Olympic Skeet in the 80's but just could not afford to keep going. The commitee was very strict that it was amateur sport and as such sponsorship money was strictly scrutinized. I tried going back in the Army so I could continue my quest for gold, to no avail.

Now I read on yahoo about Kim Rhode who just won Skeet gold and her 5th consecutive medal in an Olympics (congrats btw...go USA). In one part of the story her parents are going on about the financial burden it has been to support her shooting for all these years (they've refinanced their house several times, etc.), and trust me it aint cheap. Sponsors also help some.

However, in another part of the story it goes on to say the gal who basically does nothing but shoot (ie, no job?) also collects rare childrens books and has 14 or so collectors cars on racks in her parents' barn including a 1965 Shelby.

Am I missing something?? Where is all the money coming from??

For the record I carried a 92+ average on the minimum amount I was able to practice and travel to matches.

 

[RWJ]

According to media reports....

FWIW, there is an article on today's Drudge Report, which indicates that Medal winners receive a cash award. I know when my son was shooting competitively, he couldn't even accept NRA award points in order to maintain any eligibililty to compete as an amateur, but that is for NCAA nowadays, apparently. When they started allowing professional athletes participate, renumeration probably became a non-issue.

 

[H Richard]

I was under the understanding that the financial support/Professional status was no longer in effect. The basketball "dream team" of several years ago with nearly all professional players. All the other nations who provide living and all expenses for athletes to live and train for the Olympics. The Paid personal appearances of the athletes in the US currently.

 

[29aholic]

Things must have changed a lot since I was shooting. My beef with the NRA goes back to then because not only did we have to pay NSSA shoot fees we had to pay NRA fees to get our scores posted with the UIT. Of course when the UIT wanted to change the rules the NRA was never around.

 

[BE Mike]

I started shooting Olympic Skeet in the 80's but just could not afford to keep going. The commitee was very strict that it was amateur sport and as such sponsorship money was strictly scrutinized. I tried going back in the Army so I could continue my quest for gold, to no avail.

Now I read on yahoo about Kim Rhode who just won Skeet gold and her 5th consecutive medal in an Olympics (congrats btw...go USA). In one part of the story her parents are going on about the financial burden it has been to support her shooting for all these years (they've refinanced their house several times, etc.), and trust me it aint cheap. Sponsors also help some.

However, in another part of the story it goes on to say the gal who basically does nothing but shoot (ie, no job?) also collects rare childrens books and has 14 or so collectors cars on racks in her parents' barn including a 1965 Shelby.

Am I missing something?? Where is all the money coming from??

For the record I carried a 92+ average on the minimum amount I was able to practice and travel to matches.

I don't know the whole story, but her dad took her to Africa on a hunting safari when she was 12. Those safaris cost as much as a new pickup truck, so I think the family has big bucks. Her grandparents owned a ranch. Kim has a college degree and works as a veterinary assistant and she is married. I'm not sure what her husband does for a living. I don't think that she shoots the reported 500-1,000 rounds a day, seven days a week, except for a couple of months before a major competition. With the millionaires playing Olympic basketball, I'd expect that there is far more money changing hands now than when you were aspiring to be an Olympian. There is also a cash award given out when one wins an Olympic medal ($25,000 for gold). Kim has won her share of those. If it makes you feel any better, Kim's husband says he plays guitar better than her, but that's it. He thought he might be a better bowler when he bowled a 186, but Kim ended up with a 215. He says she is a better fisherman as well.

 

[29aholic]

FWIW I am proud of Kim for what she has done.

Guess you have to have or be from money to even think about the Olympics. I know the OTC wouldn't even look at you unless your folks were donors in a big fashion. It's shame.

 

[Smith357]

They allow pros to now compete, just look at the basketball team.

While watching the video of her shooting I did notice she keeps her finger planted firmly on trigger while in the ready position.

 

[mike from st pete]

Do the olympics allow release triggers?

 

[CO_Kid]

Olympians are now allowed to be professionals, since the 92 games.

And even if they're not, in an olympic year, they usually do pretty well with sponsors after the games if they medal.

I know a couple of olympians, including a medal winner. He said that when he took home a bronze, he made 6 figures from sponsors after the games.

 

[CBus660R]

Amateur vs pro has been an evolving process over a couple decades. The IOC relaxed the rules in the 70s/80's, but it was up to each sport's sanctioning body as to whether they wanted to allow it in their sport. I know by '88, track and field athletes were pros. Might have happened even sooner.

 

[mtgianni]

FWIW I am proud of Kim for what she has done.

Guess you have to have or be from money to even think about the Olympics. I know the OTC wouldn't even look at you unless your folks were donors in a big fashion. It's shame.

A friend at work had a son that trained in the Olympic facility in CO. He shot air pistol and his parents were very much middle class. If the skill is there, the opportunities should be as well.