How could you decide not compete for the USA at the Olympics

[zipsDIGSpv]

As I was watching sports center today, I heard about how the USA basketball team is finding it difficult to find players willing to play for the team in Athens. All these players are scared or terrorist threats and security issues. You would never find a pole vaulter saying he or she won't compete in the olympics no matter what the threat of circumstance. It just ticks me off to see athletes not willing to represent our country in the most prestigious athletic event the world has to offer. I think it sad what profesional athletes have come to and we may not be in the most advertised or "popular" sport, but we are the most dedicated and commited athletes around. What do you guys think about this whole situation?

[zack]

Part of the problem is that they probably see the Olympics as more of an exhibition for them. I mean they win every game by 40 points. They probably don't see it as a big challenge to win a gold medal.

[uconnvaulta]

they should see it as a challenge, because Yugoslavia will kill them, they have before

[Aviendha]

lol....except Yugoslavia isn't a country anymore :-P

[vaultguru6]

I can give you 2 reasons why professional basketball players would turn down the opportunity.

Reason 1- Most couldn't pass the drug test. (And i'm not talking about steroids).

Reason 2- There's not much money to be made to buy themselves more drugs.



Yea, I hate pro basketball. I don't think there's anything more exciting or pure than college basketball, and nothing thats sold out more or more boring than pro basketball. I wouldn't want that bunch of thugs representing my country anyway.



P.S. I live in Oregon so that would put me near the Jail, I mean Trailblazers. So much of my opinions are based on that disgusting organization.

[OAKPV2004]

I can give you 2 reasons why professional basketball players would turn down the opportunity.

Reason 1- Most couldn't pass the drug test. (And i'm not talking about stereroids).

Reason 2- There's not much money to be made to buy themselves more drugs.



Yea, I hate pro basketball. I don't think there's anything more exciting or pure than college basketball, and nothing thats sold out more or more boring than pro basketball. I wouldn't want that bunch of thugs representing my country anyway.



P.S. I live in Oregon so that would put me near the Jail, I mean Trailblazers. So much of my opinions are based on that disgusting organization.

Yeah i was gonna say that too, they could pass the Olympics marijuana tests...haha

[KYLE ELLIS]

I dont know Jacob Davis was a no-show in 2000

[achtungpv]

I dont know Jacob Davis was a no-show in 2000

Davis never competed in the Trials much less qualified for the Olympics.

He showed for the '00 NCAAs and left the field prior to warming up.

[KYLE ELLIS]

Are there any articles on Davis, some of the stories I hear about him shock me! I dont understand how you can be that good (19-4 in college) and just walk away

[SlickVT]

Its called burnout. When youve been vaulting as long as he was, it starts to feel like a chore to go out and vault. Ask any hardcore gymnast or wrestler.

[rainbowgirl28]

Are there any articles on Davis, some of the stories I hear about him shock me! I dont understand how you can be that good (19-4 in college) and just walk away

Search for him on here. People have written about him before.

[CowtownPV]

Jacob jumped 17'6 as a soph is HS and everyone had him as the next world record holder. That is a lot of pressure for a young kid. Don't know him well enough to say for sure but watching him jump in HS it didn't appear he was having much fun. Never really associated with the other vaulters, just seemed very business like. He seemed better at first in college but by his Sr year he sure didn't act like it was any fun at all.