In 1980 the United States defeated the Soviet Union in a game of hockey that came to be known as the greatest moment in sports history. The team was compromised of all amateur players. Since then rules have changed and now the use of professional athletes is allowed in Olympic competition. It is my belief that the use of professional athletes in Olympic competition ruins the pride and glory of the games.
Prior to 1952 only amateur athletes were allowed in the Olympic Games, both winter and summer. Then the Soviet Union and its 14 Communist allies entered the games. They trained 8 hours a day, 365 days a year. They won most of the gold, silver and bronze during the 1970s and 1980s. None of these athletes were amateur, and yet they were allowed to compete in the Olympics because the communist athletes were not definable as “pros” It was unfair, so in 1986 the International Olympic Committee changed its rule book to allow "all the world's great male and female athletes to participate." This switch was perhaps best exemplified by the American Dream Team, composed of NBA stars, which won Olympic gold metal in 92, 96, and 2000. The U.S. basketball team dominated the sport until 2004 where they only got bronze in Athens. The U.S. dominated because all their playeres were professional NBA stars. This takes hope away from other countries who want a chance to win and even Americans who would like a chance to play for their country but can’t because it is being dominated by professionals. If you bring in professional athletes in basketball, you are going to be in a situation where one country dominates the sport. Using amateur athletes makes for a fairer contest. Allthough the U.S. team failed to win gold in 2004 in Athens, they dominated the sport for long enough, taking hopes away from others.
Since the NHL players came to the olympic games, all competition has just