True, the first victor at the Olympic Games was said to have been a cook, and an occasional goat-herd might still sneak a fairytale victory, but in general only those with time and money could afford to put in the ten months’ training officially required by the rules.
Even before the debacle of 2020 Tokyo Olympics, there have been criticisms about the Olympics becoming ever more professionalised. We should be reminded however, that the Olympics was originally for show-offs among noblemen who could afford to participate in the Game. Occasional surprises by amateurs may have somewhat mystified it, but it is fundamentally professionalised. I see no reason then, to heavily subsidise such a game of private nature with taxpayer's money.
