Vanilla,

'Wouldn't it be awful to be sucked in — along with millions of other people — to the thoughtless worship of something really pretty mindless, but something that stopped you from assuming real responsibility for your life and all its ramifications?'

When I first read your post I thought you were talking about sport:-)

Thank God you were talking about religion;-)

Why does every thread have to denigrate to be about religion or gender inequality...

I don't think JC was into a particular sport. He was more of a cross trainer.

I find most sport deadly boring, as so much of it relates to wealth, and the body that can put more money into development and scientific study usually has a head start. Whether this is motor racing, running shoes or football boots or even hockey sticks and golf clubs.

The Institute of Sport gave Australia a beneficial start by research into training and diets, so what's the difference in researching boat design for rowing or bows for archery. I'll bet they get minor changes each year to try and get an edge over the competition. As has been mentioned, items like tennis racquets, vaulting poles, bicycles, sailing boats, all of which are used in the Olympic Games have been enhanced over the years. so swimming suits probably only make a minor difference.

As an aside, I have always said that beauty pageants should ban all make-up and breast enhancements, plastic surgery, hair colouring etc. We might then get a true look at natural beauty. However we all live in a false world of immagery

Snake

I agree with your points regarding the Sports Institute - no other educational facility receives as much assistance as do sports, there would be no problem in finding the dollars for swimsuits as with anything else to do with Australia winning medals for sporting prowess.

Now a Beauty Pageant based on real beauty. I'd like to see that. But make it open to men as well - that would make it really interesting.

:-)

The Greeks obviously knew what they were doing when they stipulatated that everyone should compete in the nude.
Bring back that rule and we all wil be watching with great interest.

But Theodeb,swimming in the nude?All the floppy bits will greatly increase times.The only world records we'll see will be channel switching.