by JAMILA RIZVI
My dad is sports mad. I know, I know, so is every other Australian bloke. But for my wonderful father, sport plays a role in his life and represents a value in his world, like it does for nobody else I know.
Remember that movie ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’? The Greek father had this hysterical belief that any illness could be cured with Windex. Cut finger? Bruised forearm? Mosquito bite? Put some Windex on it. Well my dad is like that when it comes to sport.
As a kid, no matter what was wrong in life – my dad’s theory was that it could be fixed through physical activity. If I were down in the dumps and crying because a boy at school had broken my heart, he would suggest a game of tennis. If I had the flu, I would be invited for ‘a quick hit at the driving range’, when all I really wanted was some decent Oprah time on the couch.
As a teenager, one of my close friends suffered from anorexia and when mum and I were having a teary discussion about her illness one night, my dad yelled from the other room (where he was watching the AFL) “she should join your netball team, Jamila”.
Oh dad, she was 39kg. She could barely walk, let alone play netball.
So sport has always been in my blood: a love of competition, the joy of being a spectator and supporter and an appreciation for those who reach the very pinnacle of their game. And when the talk inevitably turns every four years, from our nation’s achievements at the Olympics to the money our Government spends on our athletes, I get a bit tetchy.
Top Comments
Jamila - can we get a breakdown of what the money is spent on in the 4 year cycle?
Aww, Rebekah - are you making me do homework on a Sunday!?! Just kidding, I'll see what I can find from the Australian Sports Commission. Xx
Feel free to wait until Monday, I won't hold it against you!
I believe it equated to approximately $10 million per medal.
Imagine if we spent that money on helping homeless people...
I'm interested in where the money actually goes. Things like coaches, infrastructure, equipment, programs, transport ans airfares. and if any of these also assist other areas of sport.
Saying $10mil a medal is just too narrow minded.
Nope. I've got nothing out of the Olympics. Waste of money as far as I'm concerned, but if it benefits others so be it. I'd like more money invested in the arts, or more money invested in creating fabulous architecture but that's not what benefits the masses so I'm okay with the way it is. I personally don't understand how athletes are heroes either, but that's a whole other story.