Discussions regarding the lifelong impact of pursuing the Olympic dream are very relevant. As pointed out, for all but the select few the cost benefit analysis shows a decided negative return. Consider for top level ice skaters, skates alone are $1500 to start, $3000 is not out the question. A rifle shooter, the rifles alone are $3000 not to mention other specialized equipment. Then consider 1000s of hours and dollars spent perfecting the skills to compete at the World and Olympic level the making of any athlete is and expensive propositon. Clearly these and many others examples are not cash sports with owners and franchises waiting to sign athletes when they are ready for the big time. In short, while participation may be fun, it is not a sustainable career path. Intuitivly, most people know this.

Yet at the same time there is the undercurrent that we, the US of A should have more and better athletes participating in all events. While this looks wonderful on the surface, when it is all over, regardless of gold, silver, bronze or also ran we as a nation that encouraged these youngsters to pursue the dream don't do much to help them join mainstream life when it is all over. Amisdt all the discussions about getting children involved in sports the country should also have programs to support athletes who have often dedicated years (decades) of their lives aiding national glory.