Our Golden Girl Chandra Sturrup was given a letter last week signed by Bahamas Association of Athletics Association (BAAA) president Desmond Bannister stating that she would not be allowed to compete in the August World Outdoor Championships and the Olympics next year if she did not meet the following requirements:

- Compete in the Pan American Championships in the 100 meters and the 4 x 100 meters;

- Perform at a level satisfactory to the BAAA's;

- Attend a training camp in New Providence; and

- Attend another training camp in France, prior to the World Championships next month in Paris.

Chandra Sturrup has to win just three more races to have a chance at the $1 million dollar IAAF's Golden League prize.

The question is:

Do you think that the BAAA has the right to prevent an Athlete from pursuing personal goals?

I am not versed on how the BAAA control the activities of an athlete who is a member but I gather from the media that she is obligated to them to a certain degree.

My concern is a financial one.

Does the BAAA pay for the training of these athletes?
Does the BAAA pay for their living expenses.
Who pays the doctor bills.
Who pays the travelling bills.

Does the BAAA pay any bills at at all?

If so, is sufficient left that the athletes can live comfortably and not have to go after meets that the Bahamas has no interest in.

And even if sufficient is left, these athletes use sports as employment and can we categorise athletes as being employed by the BAAA's.

Once I receive the answers to these questions perhaps I can get a better idea as to why there is all this fuss about athletes trying to make a dollar.

employee147

employee147 has some very good points and i would aslo like to see some of them answered :D