The following story makes clear that China is engaged in child abuse for the sake of Olympic Gold. We suspect that to some degree that is occurring in other nations as well.
There is an excellent summary here of the holistic and noble ideals that inspired the ancient Olympics and moved Pierre de Coubertin to revive them in the 19th century. Unfortunately, the founders' intent to develop the whole person - body, mind and spirit - has been transformed by a statist and corporate juggernaut into something deformed that in too many cases is unhealthy and destructive to the athletes. It's long past time to reform the Olympic Movement, remove the governmental and corporate influences, and restore the intent of its ancient and modern founders. That refocus will do far more for the life of participating nations than will the accumulation of gold medals.
China has changed dramatically since it began reforming its Communist system three decades ago. But one vestige of Soviet-style central planning remains in its "juguo" or "whole nation" sports system.
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Outsiders who have glimpsed inside the Chinese National Gymnastics centre, like Sir Matthew Pinsent, have been dismayed by what they saw. Photo: PA
From The TelegraphByMalcolm Moore
Under the "whole nation" system, China roots out talented young children and puts them in special academies from as young as four years old.
If they are able to progress, athletes who make the cut are put into a relentless training programme, filled with targets they must regularly hit, and paid by the government a monthly wage of between 1,000 yuan and 3,000 yuan a month (£96 to £288).
Each year, the best athletes are sent to national training centres in Beijing, where they compete to enter China's national team. If they succeed, they will move with their families into the training centre and live there all year round.
