Striking gold but will things change for our athletes?

The scene was replayed over and over again on television. It was indeed a wonderful moment that all Thais should celebrate. I was certain that the cheers would become louder on Monday if more Thai weightlifters could snatch medals. Have you noticed anything?

I don't know exactly when it started, but recently, ahead of the broadcasts of the competition, channels have been beaming signals from the athletes' provincial homes. Tents have been put up in front of their houses. Key figures in the villages or districts are all dressed up, sometimes in silk, waiting for the broadcast to cross to them. Food has been ample for the groups of supporters.

Prapawadee's father fried meatballs for all, though that is what he normally does for a living.

Once the athletes win a medal, television anchors, after brief congratulations, immediately talk about the future fortune of the winners. In the case of Prapawadee, a female anchor talked about the poor life the athlete had led. She said that upon her return from Beijing, Prapawadee might acquire some land next to her house, now that she will be rich with lots of prize money.

I feel sad with what is going on.

It's a good thing to reward the winners as a token of gratitude, but that could be justified only when people pay equal attention to the athletes' living conditions before the competition begins. Most athletes complain about the tough conditions as they spend months in training, which requires a large sum of money for equipment, food and other expenses.

Most people never question how our athletes are doing during training, if only to encourage them. Yet they are ready to show up in front of a television camera to cheer them on, as if loud cheers alone would help them win medals. Then they talk about the reward money the medal winners are entitled to, without caring for the feelings of those who do not win any medals.

I prefer to hope that all athletes step into the arena without thinking about any prize money that might come after the competition. Alas, I'm old enough to know that after the curtain falls on the Beijing Games, or when any new competition begins, things will not change.