Dialogue: Nation's sports woes run deep

I can't remember the last time the 6 o'clock news was delayed for something as obscure as women's hockey.

It was both charming and tragic at the same time. The poor hockey girls. As the nation grasped at straws to save our failing sporting reputation, the pressure on them was unbearable - playing in the neighbour's pitch, Prime Minister present, country at a standstill.

They reportedly felt embarrassed to be so mercilessly thrashed by the Argentineans under these circumstances but their embarrassment is unfounded.

Our sporting woes run deeper than a game of hockey.

Remember when New Zealand enjoyed being the "per capita" overachievers, underdogs with an uncanny knack of breeding global winners in the sporting arena? These days are over. One wonders how we can get back that old magic.

New Zealand inexcusably completely missed a huge opportunity to be part of the story when the international spotlight was on this part of the world.

Countries that we have never heard of scored higher than we did on the medal tally. We weren't even given "also ran" status.

Most feel it's just a matter of money. We should have watched the Australian effort over the past few years and taken the hint.

But there are other issues that will affect our ability to breed Olympic heroes in the future.

While the Olympics did predictably well in the television ratings and school children throughout the land have been caught up in it all, future generations of would-be Kiwi Olympians have been left uninspired and unmotivated to go for gold and represent their country.

For kids the Olympic dream is just not what it used to be.

And it's more than drug testing and cheating that tarnishes the glory of the Olympic dream.

In a recent interview Peter Snell made the astute observation that we weren't making the Olympics greats any more because of the competition for time and attention that new pursuits offer young people. Who wants to focus on just one activity which demands hours of monotonous training when the boy next door has PlayStation, or when your parents are more concerned about trying to get you into a good school?

Few parents have the commitment needed to support their kids in focusing on sports at all costs, and this is what it takes to deliver the gold-winning performances.

Olympic hero John Walker pointed out last week that there is a softness creeping into our sporting attitude - athletes should be unashamedly focused on winning, not on merely participating. Somehow this notion is being killed off in the political correctness of our society where it's all about trying and doing your best. Sound nice but softness can breed mediocrity.

In this vein it was astounding to see TV1 naming Mark Todd Person of the Week with his bronze medal while Rob Waddell creamed it with gold.

Presumably it was in honour of his sporting record although it came across as an attempt by the media to grease him and his wife up after the pink Lindauer scandal. We want medals, preferably gold, moments of glory on telly, not coverage of Mr and Mrs Todd fawning over each other and saying hello to the kids.

While we are proud and supportive of those who brought us back bronze medals we can't deny that winning bronze is a bit like being third guy on Apollo 11, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin's mate - you know, Michael whatshisname.

The whole idea is to be first, to win gold.

Our future Olympians will have to consider, "What's in it for me?"

And let's face it, representing a country of 3.8 million people has its major drawbacks. While super athletes in any other Western country could rest on their laurels after bringing home gold, what's next for Rob Waddell - a breakfast-cereal commercial?

The sporting dreams of our kids are being rewritten. The "moment of glory" is redefining itself.

My sports-crazy nephew, a walking encyclopedia of sports, ankles and shins calloused through hours of ball kicking, is a case in point. His ambition - to be an All Black? To represent his country? Not at all. It's to be Pete Montgomery.

Think about it. He pops up everywhere - the America's Cup, the Olympics. None of the pressures of a super athlete, and still gainfully employed after all these years. What a job. What a guy.