...which also answers the QOTD. So there.
The point being that Americans prefer to believe that the world is USA-centric rather than actually put it to the test. So it's easier to just send college kids etc, and say "but our players are great".
By the way, the teams sent to the Olympics are supposed to be the best. And they used to be. Somehow, the best are not very intent on representing their country... What is considered a high honor to any sportsman in the world, is considered a pain in the [beep] to the NBA millionaires. What's the world to them, or they to the world?
All together now: "we are the world..."
Conclusion: to call yourselves "world champions", please:
- Put it to the test. Enter official competitions agains the best of the rest of the world, and win them.
- Treat the world with respect. Consider yourselves only one of the nations of the world, albeit a big one. When you do have to compete - send your best, and be proud to do so. Don't use excuses.
- Don't call North American competitions "world championships" when nobody from the "world" participates in them. When there are NBA franchises in Madrid, Perth and Mogadishu, then you may claim to be a "world championship".
And a little old joke to close the issue (sorry, old jokes are a weakness of mine):
An American tourist visits Australia. He sees a farmhouse, and asks his host: "What is that?"
"A farm" Says the host. The American reacts: "Call that a farm? The farms in the USA are much bigger, acres on acres, you can travel a whole day and not see the other side of the farm. And what's that?"
"A sheep" says the host. "Call that a sheep?" says the American. "In the USA a sheep is a sheep. So much wool you can cloth Arizona with one sheep. And not just the wool - they make a large hunk of meat, if you're one for mutton, which I'm not".
The host gets a bit annoyed. Then the American sees a Kangaroo hopping around. "Well, what's that, then?" He asks.
"An Australian Grasshopper" Says the host. | 
