Reasonable price for an Olympic medal (G/S/B not participation)

[Michael B]

The article is a bit misleading regarding the USOC paying for winning a medal. They are known to pay for any medal won. I believe it was $25/15/10,000 or $25/10/5,000. However, if an athlete is still in high school or college and want to retain their eligibility they cannot accept the check. If you are someone like Missy Franklin or Katie Ladecki who was still in high school when you won your medal and your parents could not afford the just about guaranteed $100,000+ scholarship/education you would receive from a top school you turn it down.

This is also true with any endorsements or advertising. A good example is the 1998 Women's ice hockey team. Not all of the members of the team were on the Wheaties Box. The five who were still in college or high school did not appear on the box - Sara DeCosta (Providence College), Sarah Tueting (Dartmouth), Tara Mounsey (Brown), Jenny Schmidgall (UMinn/Duluth) and Angela Ruggiero (Choate Rosemary Hall)

[drcy]

I bet you could get a bronze for a thousand. Just a guess. I look at Olympic stuff in passing, am no expert.

My related story is, I'm a former track runner and like track stuff, and won for the minimum bid of $9.99 a 1950s German track medal on eBay. I showed it to my dad and, after looking closely at it, he said "This looks like an award setting a world's record." I translated the German inscription and, sure enough, it was given to a Russian hurdler for setting the world's record at the meet. Something I entirely missed. Raised the value by a factor of about 30x.

[CW]

Another AH to watch is Heritage. They've auctioned off multiple medals of different types over the years. They're currently auctioning off some Olympic stuff, although I don't think it's exactly what you're looking for, John.

[1952boyntoncollector]

you could also get one for free...all you have to do is qualify for the olympics and come in at least third in an event

some girl won a sharpshooting contest at 100m today..19 years old and won the gold for the U.S....but all you would have to do is come in third..

that looks easier than going the basketball route ie. going to NBA, being good enough and go on U.S. Men's Team and winning the gold at the olympics...or perhaps playing for a country you think will come in 3rd and changing citizenship to that team as it will be easier to make than the U.S. Team

and all that saves you the 10k etc..

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

you could also get one for free...all you have to do is qualify for the olympics and come in at least third in an event

some girl won a sharpshooting contest at 100m today..19 years old and won the gold for the U.S....but all you would have to do is come in third..

that looks easier than going the basketball route ie. going to NBA, being good enough and go on U.S. Men's Team and winning the gold at the olympics...or perhaps playing for a country you think will come in 3rd and changing citizenship to that team as it will be easier to make than the U.S. Team

and all that saves you the 10k etc..

Never participated in a competitive sport have you Jake? Trust me the $10k would be much easier.

Also it really depressed me when they let paid professionals compete in the Olympics.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Never participated in a competitive sport have you Jake? Trust me the $10k would be much easier.

Also it really depressed me when they let paid professionals compete in the Olympics.

Been going on for 100 years probably with other countries like Russia.

E-Sports may be an olympic event someday, than we can talk..

but no events are created equal, people that run the 100m could qualify as a runner for bobsled but no drivers of the bobsled can ever compete in the 100m.

also curling 'athletes' arent in the same league as athletes in the triathelon etc..

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Also it really depressed me when they let paid professionals compete in the Olympics.

There have been professionals in the Olympics since the 1896 Games. When they decided to include fencing in the Olympic program it was determined that they should allow fencing masters who made their living by teaching. By doing this they could attract the best fencers of the era. This was done in 1896 in Athens and 1900 in Paris. The first Greek to win an Olympic championship in the modern games was a fencing master, Leonidas Pyrgos.

Up until 1948 you needed to be a military officer to compete in equestrian events, thus a professional rider.

Many of the early competitors in shooting were also military. The whole 1912 U.S. rifle team were in the military - Navy, Army, Iowa National Guard and West Virginia National Guard. It was not limited to officers though. One member of this team as a hospital steward in the Navy. The U.S. Army still has a sharpshooting team in Ft. Benning, GA that produces Olympic shooters

[steve B]

The US Olympic cycling team in 68 was also at least partly military.

Funny story from John Howard one of the team members. He was picked for the team, and like all new recruits had to go to basic training. When he'd take heat for not working hard enough at some stuff he'd tell the officer that he was on the cycling team, which they apparently found more than a bit funny and constantly gave him static about how he'd do in Vietnam.

Right up until he graduated and got his orders- "Report to the US army/ Olympic cycling team training facility"


Now if you like medals, there's a lot out there that's not Olympic but is very cool. Picked up a bunch from Uruguay from a cyclist who rode in the 1920's. Including a national championship medal plus some other stuff.
They hadn't caught on down there, although the soccer stuff had some decent asking prices. The whole batch of cycling stuff was maybe $50. It did frame up pretty nicely.

Steve B

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Michael B

There have been professionals in the Olympics since the 1896 Games. When they decided to include fencing in the Olympic program it was determined that they should allow fencing masters who made their living by teaching. By doing this they could attract the best fencers of the era. This was done in 1896 in Athens and 1900 in Paris. The first Greek to win an Olympic championship in the modern games was a fencing master, Leonidas Pyrgos.

Up until 1948 you needed to be a military officer to compete in equestrian events, thus a professional rider.

Many of the early competitors in shooting were also military. The whole 1912 U.S. rifle team were in the military - Navy, Army, Iowa National Guard and West Virginia National Guard. It was not limited to officers though. One member of this team as a hospital steward in the Navy. The U.S. Army still has a sharpshooting team in Ft. Benning, GA that produces Olympic shooters

I was referring more to basketball and hockey. From personal experience all military personnel was also considered amateur athletes till at least the late 1980's. Not sure if it has changed since then.

EDIT: Very cool display Steve. Somewhere I have a Junior Olympic Gold medal I won back in the 80's for boxing. Back then the Junior Olympics was used to pick people to train for the Olympics. Sadly I never made it to Colorado Springs. I was one of those guys that could beat 99.99% of the people but the very top guys always beat me.

[smotan_02]

The military still has a strong showing at each of the Olympic games. Im biased to the Army, but the lesser services provide some competitors as well.

Here is your 2016 Army Olympians.
http://www.armymwr.com/olympians/soldiers.aspx


Dont forget about your wounded warrior competitors as well:

http://www.armymwr.com/olympians/paralympians.aspx

Added this for good measure, this video about the our wounded warrior athletes is well worth your 10 minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM13pvi4JN4

**Be advised- stealthy ninjas cutting onions while you watch.

Originally Posted by Michael B

There have been professionals in the Olympics since the 1896 Games. When they decided to include fencing in the Olympic program it was determined that they should allow fencing masters who made their living by teaching. By doing this they could attract the best fencers of the era. This was done in 1896 in Athens and 1900 in Paris. The first Greek to win an Olympic championship in the modern games was a fencing master, Leonidas Pyrgos.

Up until 1948 you needed to be a military officer to compete in equestrian events, thus a professional rider.

Many of the early competitors in shooting were also military. The whole 1912 U.S. rifle team were in the military - Navy, Army, Iowa National Guard and West Virginia National Guard. It was not limited to officers though. One member of this team as a hospital steward in the Navy. The U.S. Army still has a sharpshooting team in Ft. Benning, GA that produces Olympic shooters

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

you could also get one for free...all you have to do is qualify for the olympics and come in at least third in an event

some girl won a sharpshooting contest at 100m today..19 years old and won the gold for the U.S....but all you would have to do is come in third..

that looks easier than going the basketball route ie. going to NBA, being good enough and go on U.S. Men's Team and winning the gold at the olympics...or perhaps playing for a country you think will come in 3rd and changing citizenship to that team as it will be easier to make than the U.S. Team

and all that saves you the 10k etc..

This comment shows a complete lack of understanding of this sport and most Olympic sports. Virginia Thrasher from here in Springfield, VA, the same town I live, did not just pick up a gun and say "I want to go to the Olympics". She won a gold medal in 10 meter air rifle. That requires hitting a target the size of a dime from 32 feet 10 inches consistently. To be this good you need to fire THOUSANDS of rounds each year. Those are not free. You also need a specialized handmade rifle that is built for your body which costs thousands of dollars. You also need to have a shooting range, not free. There is also a coach, psychologist and possibly a physical trainer. You then must compete in enough sanctioned International Sport Shooting Federation (ISSF) competitions to qualify. Local competitions and national championships are not enough. Travel to other countries to compete is necessary and USA Shooting cannot completely fund every athlete for all of their expenses. Winning the NCAA championship this year, which she did, does not qualify her for the Olympics either.

I could go on, but hopefully you get the idea. I could do this for every Olympic sport.

[baseball tourist]

Originally Posted by Michael B

This comment shows a complete lack of understanding of this sport and most Olympic sports. Virginia Thrasher from here in Springfield, VA, the same town I live, did not just pick up a gun and say "I want to go to the Olympics". She won a gold medal in 10 meter air rifle. That requires hitting a target the size of a dime from 32 feet 10 inches consistently. To be this good you need to fire THOUSANDS of rounds each year. Those are not free. You also need a specialized handmade rifle that is built for your body which costs thousands of dollars. You also need to have a shooting range, not free. There is also a coach, psychologist and possibly a physical trainer. You then must compete in enough sanctioned International Sport Shooting Federation (ISSF) competitions to qualify. Local competitions and national championships are not enough. Travel to other countries to compete is necessary and USA Shooting cannot completely fund every athlete for all of their expenses. Winning the NCAA championship this year, which she did, does not qualify her for the Olympics either.

I could go on, but hopefully you get the idea. I could do this for every Olympic sport.

Kudos to Ms. Thrasher. It seems that she is a "natural" who no doubt has worked countless hours perfecting her prowess but apparently didn't pick up a rifle until 5 years ago when on a hunting trip she dropped a deer with her first shot.

My beef isn't with her but with the IOC who continues to include "sports" like shooting, handball, equestrian, synchronized swimming and trampoline in the Games; while Baseball is currently out (coming back, I know). Handball? Come on!?

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by baseball tourist

.My beef isn't with her but with the IOC who continues to include "sports" like shooting, handball, equestrian, synchronized swimming and trampoline in the Games; while Baseball is currently out (coming back, I know). Handball? Come on!?

You should quit while you are behind. The fact that you bring up handball shows your lack of knowleddge of Olympic sports. Handball is not two humps slapping a rubber ball against a wall. It is a team sport. It has seven players per side, 6 who move on the floor and a goalie. The court is walled like an NHL rink and larger than and NBA court. Their court is 131' x 66', NBA is 94' x 50'. There is a goal on each end about 10' wide and 7' high. The ball is about 24 inches in diameter and weighs about one pound. It is very fast paced and can see scores of 30-35 goals in the pro leagues. I have watched the European Handball Championships and it is quite a game. You can find it on youtube.

Shooting has always been part of the games and will likely remain so. You could probably hit an 80mph fastball easier than a target the size of a dime at 25 m with an air pistol. I have never met an Olympic Equestrian athlete who was out of shape. The three day eventing competition is not a trail ride on a pony.

I don't necessarily think that synchro swimming and trampolining should be separate disciplines but they are. I can understand trampoline as it is used by most gymnasts to learn dismounts. It is also used by aerial skiers. I don't care if they bring back baseball but I don't want to see ML players. They are also adding skateboarding and surfing which seems silly to me.

By the way the only sporting disciplines the U.S. has not medalled in are table tennis, badminton, handball, trampoline and rhythmic gymnastics (a sport I would not mind if it was removed).

Sidelights. - 1984 and 1988 baseball teams - McGuire, Snyder, Ventura etc. are not Olympians. It was a demonstration sport and they are not recognized as Olympic athletes.

The 1980 U.S. Olympic Ice Hockey team had only 19 gold medalist on the team. Goalie Steve Janaszak did not play a single minute in the Olympic tournament, therefore he is not considered an Olympian an may not have received a gold medal.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by Michael B

This comment shows a complete lack of understanding of this sport and most Olympic sports. Virginia Thrasher from here in Springfield, VA, the same town I live, did not just pick up a gun and say "I want to go to the Olympics". She won a gold medal in 10 meter air rifle. That requires hitting a target the size of a dime from 32 feet 10 inches consistently. To be this good you need to fire THOUSANDS of rounds each year. Those are not free. You also need a specialized handmade rifle that is built for your body which costs thousands of dollars. You also need to have a shooting range, not free. There is also a coach, psychologist and possibly a physical trainer. You then must compete in enough sanctioned International Sport Shooting Federation (ISSF) competitions to qualify. Local competitions and national championships are not enough. Travel to other countries to compete is necessary and USA Shooting cannot completely fund every athlete for all of their expenses. Winning the NCAA championship this year, which she did, does not qualify her for the Olympics either.

I could go on, but hopefully you get the idea. I could do this for every Olympic sport.

yeah i obviously think its very easy to play any sport...... however i have seen hershel walker tryout for the bobsled team and i have seen a track runner compete for the bobsled team (lolo jones) but i never seen a bobsled team member than try to sneak on the track team.....certain sports are just easier to make than others..as some athetes that play one sport could have have played another sport....but i dont think any curling members could ever make the olympic basketball team.....more of a chance someone from the basketball team could make the curling team for example...you cant coach height...