The Human Cost of Olympic Dreams

The Olympics are intended to be a universal representation of good will and recognition of top athletes from all over the world. Yet, year after year, it is a few teams that dominate and then top the medal podium. The news is filled each year about the first athlete from a specific nation winning their nation's first medal ever, despite years of competing.

So, a question (or two). What does fair access mean in athletic competition? Follow-up - does the Olympics represent in any way the intention to recognize athletes from all over the world or has it become just a form of nationalistic fervor that divides the world into nations who have built vast, capitalistic sport networks, and those nations who are dedicating their full resources to caring for their people.