A friend who is very outspoken on the recent developments in CUBA has illustrated the prize Cuban Athletes receive. They get a huge extra load of rations and goods like no other. Their medals are not even theirs but the state.
Although one must also understand the Cuban governments stance. In a system that promotes equality the ability to compete and be trained in a sport is a privilege. The Cuban government perceives the medal is the countries and not the individual athlete which in that type of system is correct when nation is above all else.
When we live in the west or developed social democratic societies we pride the individual and the rights inherent within. everything in our lives revolve around us and thus when we make it, we think we deserve all the comes to us. However, what about the community which let you grow to become a great athlete. Will you pay them back and help your teammates and coaches out.
Hopefully and it would be the right thing to do, however, how many have squandered their riches with excesses and waste. The Cuban government takes that out of the equation and takes those choices from them and redistributes fame and fortune. Whether it is right or wrong, it really doesn’t matter. What matters is that we all be good people. Nobody wants to see professional athletes and pop stars loose everything because they could not handle fame. Is the Cuban governments position a little extreme, I think so. But our position is a little selfish and too free. So all I am trying to say is that a better balance is needed to allow some to bask in the glory of being a champion but also give back to the communities or nation they came from. Novak Djokovic and Vlade Divac are great examples of this and lets hope when we train our athletes at home and abroad we also teach them how to be good people and not selfish fame hungry individuals.
B Freethinkers 