With the Olympic Winter Games coming up soon, I found an article relating to their financing rather interesting. The United States Olympic Committee is a nonprofit group that finances and supports the U.S.A.'s Olympic teams. The U.S.A. is one of the few countries that does not give government financing to its Olympic program. Most of the U.S. committee's money comes from the International Olympic committee. The United States' committee receives almost as much funding from the International committee as all the other world countries combined. This has angered many of the other countries and the budget is scheduled for a renegotiation in 2013. I can understand why other countries would be angry about the apparent favoritism of the United States. However, on closer inspection of where the International Committee makes its money, it is understandable. Most of the money that the International Olympic Committee raises comes from the sale of T.V. broadcasting rights. U.S. television companies contribute over half of that money. Other support is from corruptions, many are U.S. based. So it seems more fair that the International committee then supports the U.S. committee the most.
For more information I suggest you check out this cool graphic.
Even with the support it receives from the International Committee the U.S. Olympic committee has been having difficulty with finding enough money to support its programs and athletes. Many of its corporate sponsors, like Home Depot and General Motors, have dropped funding. Leaving others to pick up the slack. 'News Anchor' Stephan Colbert has had a widely viewed campaign to raise money in donations for the U.S. Winter Olympic teams. Although his methods are unconventional, his goals are commendable and his antics are hilarious.
Do you agree with other countries that the U.S. receives too much funding from the International Committee? Or do you think that it's fair because U.S. companies provide most of the funding for the International Committee? Should the U.S.A. government directly fund the Olympics program?
Showing posts with label Olympics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Olympics. Show all posts
Sunday, February 7, 2010
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