I wouldn't say NK were known for their mental strength in sports

I'd say USA are the only other country that I associate with mental strength in sport (to add to their formidable talents)

i think the campbell sisters featuring the cover of every woman's magazine in australia (in celebration of the olympics) comes with the expectation that they were going to take it out

Women take losing differently... I'll stop there...

Not to mention their highly athletic melanin enriched descendants 

AHAHAHA!

Seven has decided to show replays on both of their channels instead of live sports. 

I heard a rumour that some of our best olympic coaches got employed by other countries for big money. This would make since of the drop in performances over the last few olympics. Could anyone confirm or deny?

grazorblade

There's a lot in that. And the mental toughness aspect transcends sport (and is found across every sport).

Steve Waugh was the ultimate tough competitor. I think, from the viewpoint of other Australian team sports (even the Socceroos), it's more than fair enough to speak to him about how how he went about things.

For example, he goes to Chris Rogers before the Lord's Test- this is your home ground. Enjoy it.

Susie O'Neill was immense, as well. The likes of McEvoy, those Campbell girls and Larkin would do well to listen to her. They've also swam below PBs.

Many people have been less than impressed with their shit coverage. I've given up trying.

I've reverted to streams for certain events as they continue not to show them. 

The most ridiculous women's 10,000m from Almaz Ayana. Smashes the world record that's stood for 23 years by 14 seconds.

Can't say I'm disappointed to see USA women's football go home. Hope Solo with the usual whinge too.

Aikhme

We already do send of our best to the States for training (on sporting scholarships). Gen LaCaze, the steeplechase girl, went to university in Florida. Lots of the aths people do. Some of the swimmers do (although the best seem to be in Aus, more). Heaps of the rowers to, I gather. A guy from my school won a rowing scholarship to Yale. Then there were a couple of rowing guys who went to Scotch who go to Harvard and Brown.

The nice thing about US (sporting) scholarships is they take basically anybody if they have the talent (regardless of their nationality). This is one thing I find more admirable about the States than I do about most of Europe (because the EU is basically anti-meritocratic).

The downside, however, though is that the American system of deregulation of universities (for all the sporting success) means that, in real-terms, the poor are kept down and don't have much hope of social mobility (unlike in other countries). There's always a way but it's certainly not the most equitable outcome.

I don't think the NCAA culture could be replicated in Australia as there isn't the population or the college culture. Most Aussies I know go to university in their home city and live with their parents. In the States, custom is to go into another state and go to college. It makes a far better college culture than Australia has.

As for deregulation of Australian universities... it hasn't much to do with sporting goals, but to do with improving the quality of research and improving their rankings. It seems Australian university rankings are falling and this is a real concern. There is talk of deregulating the fees for them somewhat. This would improve the quality of research and classes, generally. And, in so doing, push Australian universities up the rankings. But I worry that it would make it exceedingly difficult for Australians from poor socio-economic backgrounds to attend university.

Both the American system and the Nordic system have their upsides and downsides. I think Australia is between the two and it's not unreasonable.