1980 gold medal

[wilt the stilt]

calling all who remember that glorious win. I would like to pose this question to all. Was the Olympics better before all the pros were let in. Has it lost some luster and should there be an age limitation to competing in the Olympics(25) or a number of Olympics you are allowed to compete in(2) comments anyone?

[Condem]

1. Let's see how this tournament plays out, wilt.

One thing's for sure. There can never be another 'Miracle on Ice'.

[MaineDem]

2. The Soviets were all pros.

Maybe the USA team was amateur but others weren't. Or so I remember.

[Condem]

4. Very true, Maine.

Good point.

[DoBotherMe]

6. That's what made the game so

exciting, our team were just kids! Those Russians looked mean as hell. Dana ; )

[joeybee12]

3. You know, I miss all the stories about the kids struggling, their parents sacrificing

so they could get there...now their coporate sponsors pay their way...I understand it because it levels the playing field with those filthy commies, but I guess it was more inspiring when someone finally broke through.

[Condem]

5. I like the fact that US Womens Coach Mark Johnson....

...doesn't want to talk about the '80 miracle. Just "one chapter" in his life.

[wilt the stilt]

7. I don't disagree with Johnson

my premise is because it is so pro now that it's kind of hard to root for. To me and I know I'm old but if you limited to age then it's not really a profession.

[DaveinMD]

8. much better back then

winning that game was so amazing because it was a bunch of kids.

[Upton]

9. I like hockey the way it is now..

we still have 6 teams that have a realistic chance of winning Gold....all of them stocked with NHL players, many of them NHL all stars. Whenever they meet each other, each game is a potential classic. The hockey has just been phenomenal.

In a couple minutes, we've got Russia led by Ovechkin, facing a Canadian NHL all star team led by Crosby. You just didn't get matchups like this in the old days..

[Captain Hilts]

13. They should make hockey a summer sport, it could serve as 'spring training' for the NHL....

to get players in shape rather than suspend the NHL season.

It would give players more time to learn to play as a team.

[caraher]

10. It's more honest now with the pros in

1980 will never be duplicated, period.

But certainly the hockey tournament has never been better, and in general virtually every Olympic athlete is a full-time pro whether paid as such or not - even back then. I'd rather the athletes have a decent quality of life through sponsorships than hear feel-good stories of sacrifice for my entertainment (especially knowing that for every winner whose parents scrimped and saved to produce a medalist there are dozens if not hundreds more who chased the same dream in futility).

[Awsi Dooger]

11. Basketball and hockey were far superior before pros were allowed in

I looked forward to every game in those days. They felt like Olympic sports, with plenty of intrigue. Now I prioritize anything else. Today I'll watch bronze medal women's curling 100x above Olympic hockey.

The soccer model works pretty well but I'd prefer the old standards even if the USA is disadvantaged.

[Captain Hilts]

12. The Soviets always sent professionals, which is why our 1980 win was such a big deal.

Yes, I'd prefer to see college or minor league hockey players - that way they could actually practice together and play as a team before the Olympics.

[Jimbo S]

14. The thing with the pros is

for the NHL and NBA athletes, the Olympics is not the pinnacle of their sport. Therefore, I don't get as worked up.

Example, men hockey players have the Stanley Cup. That is the award they aspire to. The women have no such thing. The Olympics is as good as it gets for them.