The World Athletics Championships currently being held in Tokyo are delivering up some interesting results. Overall, many countries are doing well, and the medals are spread widely. Great Britain and Australia are noteworthy for just how badly they're doing; neither has won a gold. Oh dear, how sad, never mind.
New Zealand is currently in fifth place alongside Spain, with two golds and a bronze. The four countries ahead of them are, in ascending order, the Netherlands, Canada, Kenya and the USA.
New Zealand's approach to developing athletic talent appears to be bearing some fruit. It's tough getting somewhere when you're a New Zealander, as the government expects instant results, and the taxpayer only supports, in a meaningful way, those in the world's top 10. Meanwhile, the US has its collegiate system able to develop talent; they plough through hundreds of athletes looking for that special one. But at least the NZ system of nurturing those with demonstrable talent does result in something. What the country could do is broaden the net somewhat by offering more support for secondary school athletics. The obsession with rugby has got to be reined in, give sports where individuals compete more of a chance, and by that I mean athletics, tennis and golf.
People will be aware that NZ also produces excellent sailors and racing car drivers. Sailing gets a lot of support from the government as it is a vote-buying exercise; Aucklanders all own a boat, and the government constantly chases votes in Auckland. Meanwhile, motor sports are left for those who can afford it. There are no votes in it, so the government doesn't get heavily involved.
This vote-buying behaviour from the NZ government is one of the reasons the country is in deep financial trouble; money is not spent where it is most productive, but rather, it is used to pander to the electorate.
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