Amateurism was often a joke anyway. Many “amateur” athletes were soldiers or other government employees whose only job was to train year round. Many of the true amateurs of other nations were the wealthy elite who could afford to focus on their sport with zero worry any supporting themselves financially.
It was never about the best athletes coming together; it was often the best that could afford to specialize in athletics, or had a cover for their professionalism, competing alongside those at a severe competitive disadvantage.
Absolutely.
Amateurism was often a joke anyway. Many “amateur” athletes were soldiers or other government employees whose only job was to train year round. Many of the true amateurs of other nations were the wealthy elite who could afford to focus on their sport with zero worry any supporting themselves financially.
It was never about the best athletes coming together; it was often the best that could afford to specialize in athletics, or had a cover for their professionalism, competing alongside those at a severe competitive disadvantage.
You telling me it wasn’t a fluke that the Soviet army was constantly stacked with world class hockey players?
TRUST ME BRO!