The Olympics conversation questions

The Olympics

 * Are you interested in the Olympics? What do you like or dislike about them?
 * What do the Olympic rings signify? How many continents are there?
 * Which sports interest you most?
 * Which sports interest you the least?
 * Here is a quote from the Olympic creed: "The most important thing in the Olympic games is not to win but to take part." Do you think this is a good idea? Why or why not? Do you think it is true for most of the athletes?
 * Should all the athletes be required to be amateurs? What are the rules at the moment?

Doping, drugs and the like

 * What effect does doping and drug taking have on sport? Are some sports more prone to this problem than others?
 * Is it, in fact, a “problem”? Should doping be legalised? What would the effect be?
 * If an athlete takes performance enhancing drugs should he or she be banned for life?
 * Apart from doping, what other means do athletes have to improve their performances?
 * Do you believe athletes should be allowed to use new equipment that might give them an advantage over their opponents? Or do you believe everyone should compete using the same type of equipment?
 * What is your opinion of athletes who cheat in other ways? Is cheating the problem - or is getting caught the problem?

Politics

 * Do you think that politics is now an inevitable part of the games? If so, what is the impact of this change?
 * What do you think about people who boycott the games over political issues?
 * Sometimes athletes disagree with the policies of their home governments – should they be allowed to compete without a flag?
 * It is sometimes claimed that sport can unite countries, even ones with very different political systems or backgrounds. What is your opinion?

Medals

 * Why do people want to win gold medals (or any medals)? What advantage do they get out of it?
 * Is it true that the only medal that really counts is the gold?
 * We always see medals tables during the Olympics showing which country has won the most medals. Inevitably the countries with the largest populations - United States, Russia and China do well.  Shouldn’t the medal tables be weighted against population so that the “winners” of the games are the countries who have the most medals per head of population?

Money

 * Do you think that the games have become too commercialised? How would you change things?
 * Do you think the Olympics are a waste of time and money?
 * Some people claim that the Olympics aren't about sport now but they're a competition to see which country has spent the most money on preparing their competitors. What is your opinion?
 * It is sometimes said that athletes aren't thinking about competing for their countries at the Olympics, but they are thinking about what sponsorship deals they may win if they are successful. What is your opinion?
 * Do you think that some of the judges in individual competitions may be corrupt?