"An athlete cannot run with money in his pockets. He must run with hope in his heart and dreams in his head", said Emil Zatopek, a Czechoslovak
long-distance runner, widely considered to be one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century. As inspiring and heartfelt as such convinction may
seem, it is rather inapplicable in today's sporting world, where professional athletes are grossly overpaid and their wealth is measured in millions
of dollars. Sport zealots may, however, disagree; after all, sportspeople deserve to be rewarded for their efforts, for constantly straining their
bodies and risking injuries, for achievements that bring pride and recognition to their homelands, and simply for entertaining massive audiences.
Yet when
long-distance runner, widely considered to be one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century. As inspiring and heartfelt as such convinction may
seem, it is rather inapplicable in today's sporting world, where professional athletes are grossly overpaid and their wealth is measured in millions
of dollars. Sport zealots may, however, disagree; after all, sportspeople deserve to be rewarded for their efforts, for constantly straining their
bodies and risking injuries, for achievements that bring pride and recognition to their homelands, and simply for entertaining massive audiences.
Yet when