[SOC] West of the Pond

[Ian C. Purdie]

"Mike Besemer (KG8L)" wrote:

> BTW... Just to satisfy my own morbid curiosity, do the Brits have as many
> scandals with their professional athletes as we do in the States?  Seems
> like you can't turn on a newscast these days without hearing another story
> of how one of our overpaid star athletes has managed screw the pooch again.

Can't comment on Britain but in Australia lately we have had enormous scandals
which have dragged various codes of football into disrepute.

Into the gutter actually.

Makes you wonder about the family background of some of these people who openly
confess to "group sex", yet heave a sigh of relief when they won't be charged
with pack rape because of the lack of compelling evidence.

http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1258&storyid=1262594

These events have seriously damaged both Australian Rules Football and Rugby
League as well. God knows what their wives, sisters and parents must think. My
daughter's are seriously questioning whether my grand-sons should continue
playing at junior level.

So, you're not alone in the US.

In the interests of balance, our top bowler in cricket has also been dogged by
scandal and suspensions.

Seems that big money, too much free time and hero worship status are a deadly
combination now.

In my day, top sportsmen had regular jobs and the sport was a part-time
activity. A mate of mine in the 1960's played Rugby League at the highest level
and was grateful if he received a case of beer for a win. Ditto and another
fellow I know who represented Australia in Rugby in the 1950's.

Sad, so sad.


Ian