[quote]Abedd Ame wrote:
Money: always the answer, rarely the solution.
Does Bulgaria have that many people? Hard to imagine but the proof is in the pudding.
[/quote]
Bulgaria has approx 1/3 of the population of New York City. This is definitely not about numbers.
[quote]Abedd Ame wrote:
The notion that all the potential U.S. weightlifting talent is wrapped up in professional sports seems odd because not all weightlifters are great at other sports simply by virtue of being great weightlifters — the inverse would also seem to be credible: why would a baseball stAr or a professional quaterback be expected to excel at weightlifting by virtue of his or her competency in a different sport. [/quote]
One argument would be that if a person inclined to be driven towards competitive sports, he/she can focus that drive in any area. However it is of course true that a basketball player will be never be a worldclass weightlifter simply by virtue of bio-mechanics. There will always be someone comparatively similar (in age, size, ability, drive, etc, etc) but who has a mechanical advantage, e.g. much shorter femurs. Exhibit A:
[quote]Abedd Ame wrote:
Is it fair to believe that there is another fundamental reason for the disparity? Perhaps, and only by anecdote, I tend to believe that the U.S. does not foster an environment where potential weightlifting athletes receive sufficient encouragement or incentive to pursue weightlifting singlemindedly, in near complete exclusion to other past times or events.[/quote]
I think so. Any athlete who shows potential in weightlifting will be encouraged to (and no doubt actively want to) join the football team. Much better support, real career opportunities and the potential for success.