Felix & Mike

I'm sure we all rue the day the IOC dropped the term 'amateur' from it's glossary of definitions but we cant turn back the clock or stop the 'commercialisation of sport'. We ALL know how to work around 'non-payments' to a so-called amateur. By dropping this 'shamateurism' that existed previously, more energy can be concentrated on 'drug taking' and other enhancing techniques. Personally, I love to go back to the bygone age when the All Blacks were 'amateurs' and ruled supreme, ate red meat instead of pasta, but would we have the exciting game of rugby that's played today ??

Mike, your academic training coupled with you outstanding record in the ring ideally enables you to lead a didactic discussion on the pros and cons by setting out how you'd resolve this hoary old problem of amateurism v professionalism in attempt to define each definition ..yes !!

To start ...

am·a·teur

n.

- A person who engages in an art, science, study, or athletic activity as a pastime rather than as a profession.
- Sports. An athlete who has never accepted money, or who accepts money under restrictions specified by a regulatory body, for participating in a competition.
- One lacking the skill of a professional, as in an art.

adj.

- Of or performed by an amateur.
- Made up of amateurs: an amateur cast.
- Not professional; unskilful.

pro·fes·sion·al

n.

- A person following a profession, especially a learned profession.
- One who earns a living in a given or implied occupation: hired a professional to decorate the house.
- A skilled practitioner; an expert.

adj.

- Of, relating to, engaged in, or suitable for a profession: lawyers, doctors, and other professional people.
- Conforming to the standards of a profession: professional behaviour.
- Engaging in a given activity as a source of livelihood or as a career: a professional writer.
- Performed by persons receiving pay: professional football.
- Having or showing great skill; expert: a professional repair job.