Michael Phelps is just an amazing young man. He IS want the Olympics is all about. Take a young man who has worked all his life, with the support of his mother, to turn effort into Gold. It is his story that makes the dream of going to the Olympics such a journey for all young athletes. However when I see Professional Basketball players (and others) coming off the pro circuit to try to grab a little glory, I am saddened by their efforts. The Olympics are about the hidden efforts that come to light, not about bringing pros in just to win (i don't care if other countries are doing it,we should be better than that). There are numerous college players who did not get to go the games because Pros bumped them off the list (what about their stories)? Remember the 1980 Dream Team on Ice. The Olympics are not about just winning, they are about the lives and struggles of those dedicated where few make it to the games. Pros should refuse to go, stay home and watch the games like the rest of us. America, let the Spirit of the Games prevail, win or loose!

Addressing spoon: The Olympics are about the greatest athletes in the world. Who cares if they are pros are not? Arbitrary bars on those who are fortunate enough to compete in a sport where their struggles can be offset by lucre makes no sense.

Addressing the article: way to go USA baseball for mixing it up with the Chinese!

According to news reports, Michael Phelps will receive a million dollars from swimsuit manufacturer Speedo for tying Mark Spitz's record from Munich. (I don't know -- maybe he'll get even more for breaking the seven-goal mark?)

His swimming achievements are spectacular and worth every word of praise he's also received -- but if he's being paid, how is he not a professional?

Oh please, why doesn't the entire Chinese team then stay home. They're paid to play by the government. Ergo, they're professionals as well.

Remember this all came about during the Cold War when the Russians and East Germans were dominating due to the state operated sports system.

simple rule as a catcher. if you don't want to take a hard slider.... DON'T BLOCK THE PLATE... stand up, hand your gear over to someone else, and pick up checkers.

BTW- Team USA has no pro baseball players. The MLB is in the middle of its season, and coaches and players are not allowed to leave their paying jobs to take part in the Games. This lack of pros was actually cited as one of the reasons that baseball and softball was sadly voted out of the 2012 Olympics.

But of course, that could just be a cover-up excuse when the IOC really just wants to take away a sport that yet again the Americans dominate. But who knows...

It's fun to watch such a spirited game between China and USA.
Remember that the Chinese coaches are all former major leaguers and MLB coaches.

Actually, Molly, it is incorrect to say the USA has no pro players. All but one of there players is a pro. While it is correct that they aren't Major leaguers, they are still pros (i.e. paid athletes) at the double-A level. Minor league players are considered professional athletes.

I was at this game last night and I had a real good time. The catcher was blocking the plate and Laporta had every right to do what he did. I will say, had some of the Chinese team shenanigans happened in an MLB game there would have been a brawl, suspensions and fines. It was kinda ugly.

USA doesn't fear the Big Red Machine 2.0

Actually, baseball is quite competitive. It's just Asian countries and coutnries from the Americas that excel. Cuba, Japan, Korea, any one of the Carribean and Central American nations. The US has won the gold, what, once? The problem is Eurocentrism and block politics. Africa and Europe don't play well, so the rest of the world does not count.