Olympics curling

[Shakermaker]

crankedup said:

What adds insult to injury is that medal winners go on to lucrative careers. Do they pay back all the grants they accept when they earn big money, like the students now are obliged to?

But most of the funding comes from the money that is raised by Dept Culture, Media and Sport from the sale of National Lottery tickets. So, its not the same as they are getting actual tax payer money, just the money of people who play the lottery each week

[crankedup]

Shakermaker said:

crankedup said:

What adds insult to injury is that medal winners go on to lucrative careers. Do they pay back all the grants they accept when they earn big money, like the students now are obliged to?

But most of the funding comes from the money that is raised by Dept Culture, Media and Sport from the sale of National Lottery tickets. So, its not the same as they are getting actual tax payer money, just the money of people who play the lottery each week

Didn’t know that, thanks for posting. Makes the whole thing a little more palatable.
Having said that plenty of sports get sweet fa from anywhere except private sponsors. In particular the World of motorcycle racing where my son spent vast fortunes of his own cash each season in Superbikes. He managed to get offered a ride on the BSB grid but even then had to find another 20K minimum, which in race terms means double that for the season. Could have done season one but if no private sponsors turned up season two would have been imposssible. Decided against it and retired from racing. Expect this type of story is repeated over countless years and participants.

[BMWBen]

crankedup said:

Shakermaker said:

crankedup said:

What adds insult to injury is that medal winners go on to lucrative careers. Do they pay back all the grants they accept when they earn big money, like the students now are obliged to?

But most of the funding comes from the money that is raised by Dept Culture, Media and Sport from the sale of National Lottery tickets. So, its not the same as they are getting actual tax payer money, just the money of people who play the lottery each week

Didn’t know that, thanks for posting. Makes the whole thing a little more palatable.
Having said that plenty of sports get sweet fa from anywhere except private sponsors. In particular the World of motorcycle racing where my son spent vast fortunes of his own cash each season in Superbikes. He managed to get offered a ride on the BSB grid but even then had to find another 20K minimum, which in race terms means double that for the season. Could have done season one but if no private sponsors turned up season two would have been imposssible. Decided against it and retired from racing. Expect this type of story is repeated over countless years and participants.

Believe me it's actually very similar for funded sports as well. The criteria for anything more than token funding in my sport (sailing) is top 15 at the world championships, then they give you a grant of 15 grand per annum. That goes up to 28 grand if you get top 3.

28 grand will cover your campaign costs, 15 grand is nowhere near so you have to raise money elsewhere. Bear in mind that to be good enough to get these kind of results you have to be training full time and competing internationally year round for a good number of years. You bascially have to have exceptionally wealthy parents who can fund you until you start getting on the podium.

Edited by BMWBen on Wednesday 28th February 08:51

[crankedup]

^^^^^
Yes that’s 100% correct. We did all we could to help our lad but we’re also aware that spending on the lad had to be met with equal fairness for our daughter. We found that personal sponsors were hens teeth and as you rightly mention they want high profile podiums before they commit.
Very very tough World in sport for individuals without financial assistance, this is why we see Sons aand daughters of successful sports personalities coming through to take over the family sporting dynasty I guess, what price money and connections.