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Samizdata quote of the day “Money was never ever a motivation whatsoever in the decision that I’ve made . . . anyone who knows me knows that I wouldn’t make any decision based on money.”
— Australian swimmer Craig Stevens, explaining that the reason he elected not to swim the 400m freestyle at the Athens Olympics (to make way for world record holder Ian Thorpe, who failed to qualify after accidentally false starting at the trials) had nothing whatsoever to do with the $130,000 he was paid by the television station that will broadcast the games in Australia for an “interview” in which he revealed his decision.
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Actually, he would probably get even more for an interview if he would refuse to step out.
Australian swimmers can get much more than $130K out of olympics – look on all these sponsorship and advertisement contract. So $130K would not probably influence Stevens’ decision. Not that he left the money to go down the drain after he had made his mind (neither would me)
The free market in action. Excellent.
I’m a little disappointed that he pulled out. There was lots of talk from pundits saying he should pull out for the good of Australia or some associated crap. It looks like he may of caved to the pressure.
Well done Guy. Good to see that SOMEBODY gets it.
Well the bloke is probably going to be a lot safer not going to the Olympics. From what I understand the Greeks security arrangements are pretty bad. Can you say Munich 72′ all over again?
Sportsmanship is about more than money for some people; some folks actually have values they bring to the game. I’m thinking about Pat Tillman here. Sure, money’s an issue for most athletes, but it’s refreshing to see yet another stud athlete who isn’t really worried about it.
There is another non-monetary thing in athletics as well, and that is glory. Ten or fifteen years from now, Thorpedo’s records will be long forgotten, although his name will remain a memory. A slightly inferior swimmer will now share in that glory, as somebody who typified the oft-forgotten spirit of 1896, of amateur gentleman athletes who valued sportsmanship and things off the field. As a union code rugger I have always appreciated gentleman who play the game. Craig Stevens just might be one.
I don’t see this as inconsistent with libertarian values – going for the money is encouraged, as long as it is your choice. Stevens made his choice, and is getting his reward in turn. Good on him.
Ah, jeezzz…. it’s All About The Money.
What nonsense.
Dare we even think that young Mr. Roberts stepped aside because Thorpe was (unquestionably) the better swimmer, and therefore more likely to get a gold for his country?
In other words, good old-fashioned patriotism?
“For the good of the country” is not “some associated crap”, Hast — you should be ashamed of yourself.
If he makes his choice freely, then that means it is his personal preferences (which may well be mixed) that are important. It may well not be solely a matter of money, but if it is no-one has any right to complain. Ditto patriotism, friendship, etc, etc.
Oh, I don’t believe that it is all about the money. Stevens qualified for two other events (the 1500m freestyle and the 4×200 relay) and is a chance to win a medal in both of those, and he was never a chance to win a medal in the 400m. So dropping out from the 400m so he could concentrate on the other two makes a certain amount of sense. However, his statement that nothing he would ever do would ever be influenced by money (which is even more extreme in the full context than it is in what I quoted) is so extreme as to be utterly ridiculous.