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. . . It is not an accurate or fair statement to label that level of competition "cut-throat".


The Olympics are about sports and sports achievement.

Olympians don't cure diseases, prevent world hunger, or prevent wars. Some, however, cheat. That is not laudable.

When anyone, whether in business, politics or sports, adopts a win at all cost mentality, they should be prepared to accept criticism.

[Often I see people critical of this because they are not willing to make the commitment to that level.] The statement is a non sequiter.



I would ask you how many WC, Olympic Trials, or Olympic regattas have you sailed? If you have, have you experienced any level of cheating from your own personal experience?

I've sailed WC's in dinghy, multihull, and sailboard classes. I've sailed the Olympic Trials in the Div II sailboard and the Tornado. In every regatta I found the competition intense and exhilirating. I never found other competitors to be "cut-throat". Those that broke rules on the race course were dealt with by other competitors and the established racing rules. The winners in each competition won fairly and with honor.

A team at the Tornado Olympic trials observed an action by another team that they felt violated the racing rules. They followed the established procedure in addressing this perceived violation. It was disallowed by a jury following established procedure that established the facts and exonerated the other team. I would hope that participants in this forum will cease and desist from judgement or putting labels on either of the teams involved especially if you were not there.