Original poster question:
To be annoyed with the idolisation of Olympic athletes?
My answer:
No.
I appreciate this sporting competition which used to have a long history of only allowing amateur ie not mainstream popular spectator sports with big budgets and financially much rewarded athletes.
However in recent events a number of sports have entered this event including tennis and golf as well as football, basketball and baseball. Most of these are very supported professional (in reference to pay not any higher sport specific skill or athleticism) along with most other sports which are played by fewer world participants and considered amateur or not financially rewarded sports. In these sports many of the athletes are just as dedicated, commuted and train endlessly day in day out no matter the weather conditions nor their main income stream employment activities. I understand for these athletes - the Summer or Winter Olympics every four years during non war or pandemic times - are their goal and destiny. It is the pinnacle of the cumulation of all that personal lifestyle sacrifice and dedication to their craft, skill, passion and ability to use their sport to be who they are and hopefully be the very best or at least world class.
I salute and respect these Olympians who eventually realise and secure the winning Olympic gold in their selected event!
Some of these Olympians do so with little outside funding as of course it would be impossible without an initial secure financial support from a very young age and indeed financially would be a barrier to entry but even with financial backing most can not make it to the Olympic grade.
Another obvious correlation is the connection to family already in that particular sport to initiate interest and to pass on specific knowledge, experience and skills.
There is a wide variety of sports as usual but some new ones are intriguing and hopefully will remain a regular Olympic event.
Some sports by definition will include much more financial ability and support to enter. The equestrian and sailing in particular would necessitate more investment than most.
For me as a life long sporting person and occasional amateur competition in several sports - I admire modern pentathlon as it is a true combination of sporting ability, skill, strength and stamina in a mixed range of pursuits. I used to be a blue at university (not modern pentathlon) as defeated the other side in Varsity and in national university tournaments in my sport of choice.
Sports are good for the soul, mind and body. The only harm is over doing it with sporting injuries. But that is usually due to bad luck as much as lack of training or indeed over training.
The only major negative aspect of international level sport is the cheating and use of banned performance enhancing materials etc. Many nations not just Russia but Team GB and USA as well as the usual suspects have been found to have cheated previous sporting events. This should not be a feature of the Olympics as alternatively all athletes should be given fair and equitable access to such performance enhancing products for a level playing field.
However back to a fair and level playing field - for many of us the Olympics especially with current representatives we know personally and support - is special and always worth a watch and a reflection of ourselves in a little way but of course not competitive to that level!
Good luck all the athletes! We will be here to support.