fourm member - are you suggesting that Wiggins won his GOLD medal BECAUSE he is sponsored by SKY + MURDOCH? that's what your last statement infers.

"No use commenting any further on this thread, as our resident expert has said it all again."

That is a silly thing to say. If you have a contribution worth making then make it. Don't be afraid to have your say, just because somebody posts something you don't agree with.

forum member

I fully agree with your 8.27 post. In some ways it is a shame that, particularly in the sports involving intense physical effort, only full time sponsored or professionals are likely to be in the medals. Afar cry from the '50's and '60's. I was involved (only at County level)in a few sports and they were so strict in checking you had no payments at all.

"But all the natural talent in the world and all the willingness to train means nothing if you have to work 12 hours a day to feed your family."

Peter Wilson, our hope in the double trap shooting event is ranked world number one, but that nearly didn't happen when at one point in his climb to that level his funding was suddenly withdrawn. He was then ranked world number five and in his own words 'I went from that to being a pub waiter in just 24 hours'.

The truth is, as already stated, that you cannot become an Olympic medal contender these days without some serious financial help.