Fact Of The Day
Jan 26, 2000
Perhaps Avery Brundage Was Right?
When Chicago Millionaire Avery Brundage stepped down as president of the
IOC after the 1972 Munich Olympics, ever-true to his dedication to
amareurism in international sport, he was once again called for the
abolition of the Winter Olympic Games after 1976 because of rampant
commercialism, particularly in Alpine skiing.
"There are only two kinds of competitors," Brundage said in his final speech to the IOC at Munich in August, 1972. "Those free and independent indiduals who are interested in sport for sport's sake, and those in sports for financial reasons. Olympic glory is for amateurs."