by Matthew Emma

Created on: June 29, 2009   Last Updated: July 03, 2009

Each time the Olympic Games approach, fans debate whether or not professional athletes should be permitted to compete. Sports purists make the claim the Games should be an arena for amateur athletes to achieve glory.

It cannot be argued the Olympics are an inspiring event bringing together the world's premiere athletes against a backdrop of peace and harmony. However, the world has changed drastically since the Olympic ideal was created and the presence of professionals at the modern Games is a positive for several reasons.

Professional athletes play a significant role in marketing the Olympics and the respective sports they participate in. With the advent of 24 cable television sports stations and countless internet sites devoted to any game you can think of, the Games are not the spectacle of sport that draws the undivided attention of the world, as it did decades ago.

Unfortunately, the popularity of the Olympics appears to be on the decline. Television ratings never seem to be where executives expect an event like the Olympics to. People, especially in the United States, view the Games with an indifference that is getting more pronounced with each passing Olympiad. Professionals change the malaise many feel towards the Games because they are larger than life figures who generate interest. When viewers know stars like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James will be suiting up for the United States in international competition, they will be more likely to tune in.

Professionals also promote their respective sports. The Games are an event tailor made for introducing or re-introducing certain games to areas of the world where they may be unpopular or unfamiliar. If more interest is generated, more people will play and follow these sports.

From a competition standpoint, professionals provide an unparalleled level of play. This is not to say amateur athletes aren't capable of competing at a high level. They are good athletes, but aren't professionals. Like it or not, the Olympics are a showcase and who better to be the poster children for a particular sport than the professionals who compete in the world's premiere leagues, such as the National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Hockey League (NHL).

National pride is also at stake when nations take part in the Games. While the Olympics may be designed to promote world unity politically speaking, athletically, it is a serious competition. It should be the duty of each and every nation to send the very best they have to offer to such an event. In sport, the idea is to win and professional athletes provide their countries with the best chance to take home the gold, silver and bronze hardware.

Many people have an opinion about whether professionals should be allowed to participate in the Olympics. There are some who are vehemently opposed to it. However, the changes that have come about in the world have impacted the Games. In modern times, the presence of professional athletes makes sense.

Learn more about this author, Matthew Emma.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.