tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603222303785259307.post2541821862675606083..comments2023-09-23T21:52:50.905+08:00Comments on Health and Wealth: End of Beijing OlympicsKhiat Han Hwee Adrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00954307521105388372noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603222303785259307.post-53620041226832857852008-08-25T12:04:00.000+08:002008-08-25T12:04:00.000+08:00It is a dream to be able to buy a gold medallist. ...It is a dream to be able to buy a gold medallist. The reason is simple. Gold medallists have qualities that Division 2 and 3 do not. For example, gold medallists are very hardworking, have great perseverance, spent all their available time practicing etc. Division 2 and 3 medallists will spend time shopping for designer bags, engaging in other frivolous past times. This is why Gold medallists are Gold medallists. Zhang practices while Li shops. Zhang will not leave her home country for money because she believes in playing for her homeland. She has all the right values, that is why she is champion.<BR/>The other thing to note is the way our ministers and leaders heap praise on Li and her team even though they did not win the gold medal. This may work for certain cultures but since they are from China, the players there are certainly not being heaped with praise when they falter, instead they will be taken to task. Therefore it works better for them as the fear of failure is a greater motivating force in China's work culture than praises.<BR/>I think Singapore should spend more time and resources to nurture its own homegrown sports talent. It will take more time and effort but it is well worth it in the long run. <BR/>Taking short cuts are also not the hallmark of true champions and it applies here equally to our foreign sports imports as well as those who make the decision to go this path. This is the singular most important reason why if we choose this path we will never get a gold medal. Remember, the true gold medallist Zhang did not take the shortcut to fame and fortune. Her face tells it all. <BR/><BR/>RogerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com