They stand for nothing but their own gains. They train for years and we look up to them like they're some sort of super hero but when it comes time to actually be a hero, they fold like paper.
Imagine going to a country that has genocide camps, social credit scores for the populace and best of all A COMMUNIST GOVERNMENT just so you can compete with a bunch of other faggots for a metal.
Now they're complaining about the food and treatment they are getting from the CCP.
What a bunch of clowns.
These athletes, unless absolutely loaded or with a massive inheritance, live off of the money they get from sponsors, winnings, and/or advertisements. As I see it, with this kind of income instability, they are probably trained to bow down to others' influence and authority.
Of course, they can say no. But standing up for oneself is difficult when you've been manipulated like this. Especially if you consider coaching abuse. A lot of athletes have mental illnesses, too, which... kind of comes with the territory.
I feel bad for them, but I don't pity them. I certainly don't consider them scum, but I can see why a person would.