No doubt we will get calls for yet more funding for our Olympic efforts in the aftermath of the London Olympics.

I'm all for that, but can I suggest that we do it on a voluntary basis. That is, every Australian who wants our Olympic team to get more money should send a cheque to the Olympic movement for each of the next four years.

Lets see. We apparently stumped up $700m for the London Olympics, which wasn't enough to win more medals. So lets raise $1000m. That is only $41 for every man woman and child in Australia. Spread over four years it is only $10.25 each year each.

Of course, it is likely that some folk might not want to send their cheques. No worries. Those more sports mad amongst us should be more than willing to send enough extra to cover those who are not interested. Fair enough?

Send the cheques. That will show us if "we the people" are really willing to fund the current system.

There is some merit in this article.

However, thankfully Abbott (I hope), like Howard, will be pragmatic enough to find an appropriate balance in terms of finding the right balance towards govt intervention rather than simply cut, cut, and cut spending wihtout regard to the ramifications.

If we were to adhere to the IPA, very little would be spent on anything.

Like industry, sport does need assistance if Australia wants to succeed. And rather than ideologues driving gthe agenda, the Australian people should and will have a say on the balance.

This does not mean that we should not find better ways to fund elite sport. I think we can, so perhaps the IPA could contribute better answers.

Let's have a HECS type scheme for sportspersons who have trained at the Australian Institute of Sport or otherwise received assistance from the taxpayers . There is no good reason why sportspersons should be treated better than tertiary education graduates .

As sportspersons earn money from commercials , appearing on reality TV and the like , they can be assessed to repayment by the ATO
[ apart from their ordinary income tax liabilities ] of the amounts they have received from the taxpayers during their sporting career .

I think the $700 million could be used a little more wisely than spent on the Canberra Institute of Sport and elite athletes. What are the levels of spending in Canada and Germany? I am sure it is a lot less than we spend. I think Australians need to realise there are many issues that need to take priority over sport. We should start with the Australian of the year award and exclude sporting personalities.

The behaviour of Hooker the malingerer at the final of the pole vault was pathetic!

If that cost us taxpayers millions then I want my money back!

What a loser!