Only the top 2?

Honestly I don't know the numbers; they may add a substantial amount, but it won't make or break the WC. Here you go Stud - Calling it "the biggest TV deal in a single country in FIFA's history," world governing body FIFA announced a $425 million deal for World Cup television rights in the United States from 2007 to 2014. Under the agreement, the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, the 2007 and 2011 Women's World Cups, and the 2009 and 2013 Confederations Cups will be broadcast in English in the U.S. by the Walt Disney Company-owned ABC and ESPN networks, and in Spanish by Univision. In a joint bid, ABC\ESPN paid $100 million for the rights package for the broadcast rights in English, while Univision paid $325 million for the Spanish-language rights. So, it might not break it, but it sure as heck made it.

it used to be 3 think it was to avoid a US sweep wasn't the change between 80 & 84 or was it 76 & 80 too bad diving got lumped into the same deal track allows 3 competitors per event ande In the freestyle relay(s), the top 6 goes to the Olympics. Yet, all the other events it is only the top 2. That should change. Every athlete that makes the qualifying time should go to the Olympics. Look at the men's 100 back, the top 6 at the 2008 US trials swam faster than the 1992 Olympic Gold Medalist. Surely the 5th swimmer could have a better performance in the "big" pool. Sending only 2 in each event "waters" down the potential performances at the Olympics, ultimately making the semi-finals less competitive. (other phrases could be used) The bottom line is, the top 16 at the Olympics should represent the fastest in the world.

Half the people I see heere in the NAtional Anthem place there hand over their hearts...er, that's like, for the pledge....they teach you that at immigrant school! It's the Union Flag you heathen! A "Jack" is part of the pole...like the one you need to pull out. From the US Code, Title 36, Chapter 10: §171. Conduct during playing During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there. You should have studied at immigrant school instead of eating Hagis!:canada:

Lastly, I don't care how much $ ESPN throws at Soccer. The World Cup is not dependent upon them. Much less on the US soccer bodies that wanted quarters and bigger goals....ok yeah let's change it. Back to you... You are really missing the point. Soccer is saturated in Europe, it's not getting any bigger, or only marginally so. The market is the US. Having ESPN/ABC on board is a huge benefit to the WC. The marketing potential for the US is untapped in soccer and if you don't think that is a massive cash cow you are missing, well, then you probably don't turn on your TV during football season to see the $$ out there. I can guarantee you that when the WC people meet, or any influential soccer group for that matter, their #1 topic is engaging the US better for increased revenue. I agree the WC is not dependent on the US but it sure is their prime target now. Oh, and out of curiosity, check out the US investment groups buying up the Premier League teams. Still don't think US $$ is important to soccer?

Hulk, In order to get the best of the best have Olympic cuts as we do now. If country x has 20 swimmers that can make the cut so be it. If country Y has no one to make the cut in 200 fly, so be it. If the final of the 200 free is 8 Americans or 8 Chinese so be it. The Olympics is about sport. We also forget that there are 28 Olympic sports in the summer games. The networks (at least here) almost exclusively show sports that feature US participants. Occasionally they will show a tear jerker about some bloke in the wilds of _________. What do we see or know about field hockey, handball, canoe, judo, archery, modern pentathlon, sailing, shooting. People may say, well I don't care about those sports. Well, I say the Olympics is a celebration of sport and these people who are training also deserve to be recognized. That said, as a swimmer, I am very glad to see the amount of swimming shown. But I also wouldn't mind seeing the skill of the "lesser" sports. Anyway, what do they show for the Olympics on TV in Upper Slobovia?

What is the definition of best? Sorry, couldn't resist. I don't know if this is true so someone with knowledge help me but I heard (at some point) that the Olympic cuts were easier than the US Trials Cuts. That would seem plausible to me give some of the really pathetic swimming in the early rounds of the Olympics. That's not quite true, but it's close. en.wikipedia.org/.../Swimming_at_the_2008_Summer_Olympics Let's look at the men's 50 free as an example. The Olympic B standard is 23.13. Any country with one swimmer that fast could send him to Beijing. The A standard is 22.35. A country with two swimmers meeting that time could send both of them. Some countries, like Britain, choose to send only swimmers who meet the A standard. The American trials cut in the 50 is 23.49. A little bit slower than the B cut. The slower swimmers you see in the Olympics are probably the one standard-free entry per gender allowed to each country. A lot of them do the 50 and 100 free.

It would be interesting to see stats on how many countries are able to make the full two swimmers per event plus relays. Kind of reminds me of the team scoring at nationals debates. :bolt:

Back in the '70s each country was allowed three swimmers in each event. This was changed to two, in large part anyway, due to the U.S. team's dominance. The U.S. was going 1-2-3 too many times for the Olympic Commitee's taste, apparently. Kirk, there is nothing wrong with this. As a non-American born person, and a perennial supporter of the underdog I think it's good that it shouldn't be 1,2,3 for any country in any event. Granted it may be interesting and a pride issue for the USA crowd but it begins to bore everyone else. Undoubtedly the USA has a fantastic pool of talent in all sports, but the idea of the games is (supposedly) about coming together and putting the politics and nationalism aside. It's also supposed to be for amateurs but that's another can of worms. I think the participation and inclusion is the lofty goal here. Do you really care if someone grabs the bronze, and becomes a hero in their country, instead of it going to another American swimmer? I may be different to others but I like to see new team/people win things. It doesn't change who may be the best, greatest, fastest etc...it's just good to see atleast in the context of the Olympic games. To be honest, I think the decathalon IS the Olympics. 1 person doing 10 events that test all round athletic ability. Hey, that's just me though.

If the limit of 2 stands for swimming, I see no reason why there shouldn't be a limit of 2 for track and field too. Absolutely. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

...the idea of the games is (supposedly) about coming together and putting the politics and nationalism aside. I would have to question that, it looks to me like nationalism is a big part of the Olympics. USA does not have the world dominance it had in the 70s when the rule was applied Uh, outside of the boycott year which Olympics did the USA not dominate swimming?