Tribune Olympics writer Phillip Hersh opines in Monday’s Critics’ Corner that big-time college sports must be shut down (Tribune, Feb. 23). I would rather see Mr. Hersh’s beat, the Olympics, shut down.
He cites college drug scandals. The Olympics are the granddaddy of all drug scandals, from swimming to weightlifting to track and field.
He cites point-shaving scandals. How about the pathetic figure skating “point-shaving” story that seemed to hang around forever in 2002 (which Mr. Hersh covered ad nauseum)?
He cites academic fraud. Let’s discuss cash bonuses for medals, the corruption of the International Olympic Committee and their sophisticated shakedown techniques.
The Olympics are a greater stain on society than college sports. Bring back the amateurs–if there are any left–or shut down the Olympics.
