Gold Draught!! As it was meant to be.

I always wonder why people are so afraid of contesting on a level playing field.

Africa as a whole has only managed to amass 12 medals at this years Olympics, 4 of which were gold medals being at par with the total number of gold medals won by Michael Phelps in this years events. 3 of those gold medals were won by South African Athletes. 

Its appalling to note that out of a total of 204 gold medals won so far only 4 have gone to African athletes representing African Countries. What could be wrong with this picture. Some could argue that it is all down to varying levels of commitment by member countries, poverty, corruption and a whole host of other excuses. That in itself could be a flawed view. 

If the status quo were maintained, this Picture would always remain the same. We would never see true potential unleashed. Hussain Bolts would remain undiscovered and potential  Michael Phelps's unknown. 

I just hope at some point in time we would be more concerned about unearthing wonderful talents and discovering amazing potential rather than just the usual boring World Domination/Muscle Flexing/Bragging Rights model and method of doing things. 

If this is to continue, I do believe the International Olympic committee has an obligation to ensure a level playing field for all athletes by putting pressure on member countries to develop and maintain their athletes to a particular level. Olympians from member nations should have access to the same level of training and preparation. 

At the end of the events our purpose and sense of accomplishment should be buoyed by the fact that an athlete took home a Gold medal not because he pays allegiance to the Union jack or Star Spangled Banner but because he is simply the best there is at that particular point in time.  

Humans are naturally driven by greed, it is inbuilt in us to want to deprive our opponents in other to gain top spot. People spend more time trying to knock their opponents off the ladder than making any meaningful attempt to climb up the ladder. 

An athlete who comes to the games with the thought of winning Gold, not because he/she is the best there is but because he/she knows fully well that they are coming to compete against a group of athletes who have little or no access to a meaningful method of training or a good trainer, that athlete has already lost. That athlete goes home with a large meaningless coin encased in a bloated ego and hung with a strap tainted with self imposed blindness and denial. How do you justify coming top in your class when you fully well know your course mates had no access to the study materials. You would never know where you really stand. 

The Olympics should be about unearthing the best athletes of our time...not about hoisting flags and squeaking to anthems. The story should be about the Athlete. The winning team should be Humanity.