World Games

[LostOldTimer]

Definitely a waste of British Orienteering money, but if the elite, or any other members wish to compete then they can/should if they want to fund themselves...

Orienteering is a Sport for All.

All events should be for all competitors - well done the World Masters for allowing everyone to compete equally.

[Meat Market]

Orienteering is a Sport for All.

As far as I'm aware everyone who's British and orienteers (pays BOF membership?) is eligible for selection for this - so what's the problem?

[mharky]

LOT, are you bitter because UK Sport didn't pay for your worthless trip to the 1988 Ski Orienteering World Champs?...

If BJ comes back with as many knock-off DVDs as he did when he went to the PWT in China, then it certainly won't have been worthless!

[Becks]

I really, really hope that was a joke, or simply meant to provoke.

We remember that your average orienteer contributes very little, if anything to the elite program? I can't remember the exact figures, but they have been discussed her a billion times.

Do you have any idea how much these guys sacrifice to get to this level? The huge amount of time, and energy that goes towards attaining that level of technical any physical perfection? Do you know the number of our top elites who work part time jobs and earn well below their earning potential to devote this time to their sporting career? So much of their time and energy devoted towards racing, which in turn raises the profile of our sport, secures us more interest from funding bodies and people on the street, inspires more people to take up the sport?

They give a huge amount. They train exceptionally well. But they're human, and mistakes are made. "Free holiday?" Have you EVER raced under that amount of pressure? Do you know what it's like filling the time between high standard races? There's no casual tourism, no nice meals out, no time for culture. It's about refuelling, resting, analysing and planning, getting yourself in the correct mental state to race. It is NOT a holiday. It's a career. And in Sarah's case, a great one at that.

Get a grip.

Edit: just read your recent posts. The advice just above is definitely still needed. An open World Champs. Are you insane?!

[Gross]

but it is impossible for a person to remember everything all of the time- we all make mistakes. Athletes should be able to focus on getting round the course in the fastest time rather than worrying about the layout of the start and whether they're wearing a piece of equipment which is absolutely no use to their navigation, fitness or safety.

That's exactly what coaching staff are there for.... whoever covers the start should ensure the athletes have all the bit's and pieces with them....

And I really hope they all enjoyed their 'freebie' trip too.... coz if the athletes don't enjoy themselves then they won't perform....

[mharky]

And the fact that British Squad is funded by UK Sport and Sport England.

All events should be for all competitors - well done the World Masters for allowing everyone to compete equally.

Not a fan of the olympics then?

[Gross]

And the fact that British Squad is funded by UK Sport and Sport England.

All events should be for all competitors - well done the World Masters for allowing everyone to compete equally.

Not a fan of the olympics then?

I guess BOF should pay for everyone to compete also.

[Dave]

well done the World Masters for allowing everyone to compete equally.

..unless you're under the age of 34. so, not really everyone is it.

[ba-ba]

so surely if british elite Orienteering shouldn't be funded by BOF(UKsport etc.), the FA shouldn't fund the English football team, UK athletics our athletes, UK swimming our swimmers, ECB the English Cricket team, (and the governing bodies of sports in other nations) therefore rendering World Cups/Ashes/Olympics/World Championships etc - i.e the pinacle of their respective sports - worthless due to the lack of a full complement of top national teams. As it's generally decided in the world of O that WOC and the World Games are the premier international O events (also include NOC here?), it's surely BOF's duty to send our elites so everyone remembers we're still about!

And as for inclusivity - many people rank winning Oringen as about level with a WOC gold, many elites fund their trips to Oringen each year.

As for WMOC, it may well be inclusive but gains very little coverage, as does all masters-level sport (McEnroe etc. playing tennis and the liek)

The fact is that the way the human race has evolved, not everyone can compete equally, be it sport, academia or sheer pig-headedness, it would appear.

[Gross]

so surely if british elite Orienteering shouldn't be funded by BOF(UKsport etc.),
.

There was an interesting debate about the World Games and funding within National Teams when orienteering was mentioned as a potential sport.The 'big' Western Teams weren't exactly keen on the idea as it would put pressure on funding etc (in those days there was a full World Cup programme)... but interestingly the emerging East European Nations were very keen as WG came under National Olympic Committees and was funded by them rather than the orienteering federations... so funding was easier for WG than WC or WOC

[LostOldTimer]

To answer 'Becks' who stated that to Sarah, and others, its a career - that is utter nonesense as that suggests they do it for a living, and make money out of it.... If they do make money from it then that is wrong anyway, but orienteering is NOT a professional sport, and should never become one.

Yes, certainly the Sports Council etc shouldnt fund the elite, but use the money for ALL memebrs if British Orienteering cannot fund it... and yes, the FA shouldnt fund the ENglish football team... etc.. etc... In my opinion Football players should purely play for their individul club ad NOT the country.. plus Footballers are so well paid they dont need funding.

Orienteering is an amateur sport, and should stay that way; it will never get to the olympics no matter how hard you try and as for the elite publicising the sport - I dont think so.
The majority are NOT elite; and if you take a poll I think you will find many casual orienteers could not care less about the elite.. mostly just their student friends.

[EddieH]

It seems that MHarky and Spookster know who LOT is. Is he for real or is he Gross mark 2 ?

In fact who is he?

[rebbid]

You can google the 1988 results and see who might need a lift from Sheffield

[LostOldTimer]

Yes, very real, and only voicing a widely-held opinion that most are afraid to speak...

ba-ba wrote:
"And as for inclusivity - many people rank winning Oringen as about level with a WOC gold, many elites fund their trips to Oringen each year.
the elites fund their trips!!?? so do he rest of us - they shouldnt be a special case.

As for WMOC, it may well be inclusive but gains very little coverage, as does all masters-level sport (McEnroe etc. playing tennis and the liek)"
It doesnt need special / world-wide coverage.

[Gross]

ba-ba wrote:
"And as for inclusivity - many people rank winning Oringen as about level with a WOC gold, many elites fund their trips to Oringen each year.
the elites fund their trips!!?? so do he rest of us - they shouldnt be a special case.

Winning and / or doing well in ORingen Super Elite is a nice little earner