Australia’s Winter Olympics Chef de Mission says no price can be put on the inspiration elite sport provides

IT is impossible to put a dollar figure on the cost of each Olympic medal. Our children need role models. They need to be inspired by winners.

Australia’s Alex “Chumpy” Pullin finished below expectations in the snowboard cross. Pict

It is impossible to put a dollar figure on the cost of each Olympic medal.

Our children need role models. They need to be inspired by winners.

Cathy Freeman inspired Sally Pearson.

Sailor Tom Slingsby watched Tom King in the Sydney Olympics and decided to have a go.

Taekwondo clubs were swamped with kids wanting to join after Australia’s Lauren Burns won at the Sydney Games.

Cadel Evans has said he cannot believe the number of people who tell him they have taken up cycling after watching him in the Tour de France.

This ultimately produces a healthier nation in mind and body. You cannot put a dollar figure on how much that reduces our health bill.

Very few Olympians make big money out of sport. There is only a handful attracting big endorsements and collecting prize money from winning international events.

Australia’s Alex “Chumpy” Pullin finished below expectations in the snowboard cross. Picture: Getty Images

The rest are surviving on a pittance, working second jobs, or training full time and putting careers on hold to chase their Olympic dream. They are stacking shelves in Woolies; washing cars at the carwash; some have even mortgaged their homes.

But they are giving plenty back to the community. They are coaching young kids, visiting schools and getting involved with community sport.

Sport teaches young children life values including fair play and respect. It makes for better Australians citizens. You cannot put a figure on that.

But if you do not develop elite athletes, if you do not invest in high performance sport, you simply do not inspire the next generation of sports people.

To achieve results on the world stage does cost money.

But importantly the investment in Australian sport is only small, it is a drop in the ocean when you look at the Federal Budget in total.

On budget night, sports spending does not even rate a mention.