It is not just in Australia that the impact of a sport being dropped from the Olympic Games is far reaching.
The Great Britain women’s fast pitch softball team looks like missing the World Championships in Canada because they cannot afford to go.
Ranked one of the top three teams in Europe they have until the end of January to confirm whether they will take up the place that they earned by qualifying. With most of the team being students few can afford the costs attributed to taking part. The overall cost is expected to be GBP60, 000.
Having relied on donations the money has dried up, and UK sport is focusing all of its funding on sports that have a chance of returning Great Britain medals at this year’s Olympics.
It is a very familiar story in Australia, despite some of the athletes having achieved more than some who will grace the Olympic Games.
More or less or don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Other sports need support too.
What are you suggesting? That participation is more important than medals!!