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Why the British bowed to Bolt
ON THE SPORTING EDGE
Paul Reid
Thursday, July 22, 2010
var addthis_pub="jamaicaobserver";
It was not surprising to see the speed with which the British government tried to make compromises in their tax laws to get sprint super star Usain Bolt to run in their country without having to part with millions of his money earned elsewhere.
The British tax system demands that all athletes who perform there are not just expected to pay taxes on monies earned while in Great Britain but also to pay a part of all their world wide earnings in that same year, whether they compete there on one occasion or more.
Vulgar, crude and reprehensible does not even begin to describe this taxation system.
But if we think that the British government is trying to do Bolt a favour, it's time to think again. Bolt running anywhere in the world right now, with or without tough competition, guarantees sold out stadia and record turnouts.
Bolt's appearance at any venue these days represents big earnings from the meet organisers down to the concessionaires, to hotels, taxis drivers, souvenirs sellers, everyone.
Two examples earlier this season should suffice. Bolt's appearance at the Penn Relays for the first time in years resulted in the biggest one-day turnout ever in the over 100-year history of the event with over 54,0000 packing Franklin Field on the day he competed.
Never mind that an estimated 20,000 of those walked out mid way the day after Bolt anchored the Jamaican 4x100m team then disappeared into the bowels of the stadium for press conferences etc.
Weeks later news of Bolt's appearance at the IAAF Diamond League Adidas Grand Prix in New York saw tickets being sold out in record time. There were also record request for media credentials, prompting the organisers to put in extra media seatings and urging media practitioners to confirm early so they would be guaranteed a place.
Bolt was however forced miss the meet due to a reported Achilles injury and more than half of the media people never even bothered to show up while hundreds of persons were seen up to the day of the meet desperately trying to sell their tickets, some which were bought for over US$2000 which would have guaranteed them a chance to meet and greet the athletes in a secured area.
So while the British government's intervention might not be quick enough to see Bolt face off against Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay in a mouth-watering clash in Crystal Palace next month, they are hoping to prevent his turning his back on any other meet there before the 2012 London Olympics.
The British government was simply thinking about their own bottom line as given the ease of travel between England and Europe, track and field fans in that area will travel to other countries such as France, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland to see the sprinter perform.
And more importantly will spend their money in those areas with England missing out on the action.
Bolt is easily the biggest track star in the world right now and a money spinner who not only makes a lot for himself but for others wherever he goes. No way is the British government going to sit back and be left out of this.
ON THE SPORTING EDGE
Paul Reid
Thursday, July 22, 2010
var addthis_pub="jamaicaobserver";
It was not surprising to see the speed with which the British government tried to make compromises in their tax laws to get sprint super star Usain Bolt to run in their country without having to part with millions of his money earned elsewhere.
The British tax system demands that all athletes who perform there are not just expected to pay taxes on monies earned while in Great Britain but also to pay a part of all their world wide earnings in that same year, whether they compete there on one occasion or more.
Vulgar, crude and reprehensible does not even begin to describe this taxation system.
But if we think that the British government is trying to do Bolt a favour, it's time to think again. Bolt running anywhere in the world right now, with or without tough competition, guarantees sold out stadia and record turnouts.
Bolt's appearance at any venue these days represents big earnings from the meet organisers down to the concessionaires, to hotels, taxis drivers, souvenirs sellers, everyone.
Two examples earlier this season should suffice. Bolt's appearance at the Penn Relays for the first time in years resulted in the biggest one-day turnout ever in the over 100-year history of the event with over 54,0000 packing Franklin Field on the day he competed.
Never mind that an estimated 20,000 of those walked out mid way the day after Bolt anchored the Jamaican 4x100m team then disappeared into the bowels of the stadium for press conferences etc.
Weeks later news of Bolt's appearance at the IAAF Diamond League Adidas Grand Prix in New York saw tickets being sold out in record time. There were also record request for media credentials, prompting the organisers to put in extra media seatings and urging media practitioners to confirm early so they would be guaranteed a place.
Bolt was however forced miss the meet due to a reported Achilles injury and more than half of the media people never even bothered to show up while hundreds of persons were seen up to the day of the meet desperately trying to sell their tickets, some which were bought for over US$2000 which would have guaranteed them a chance to meet and greet the athletes in a secured area.
So while the British government's intervention might not be quick enough to see Bolt face off against Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay in a mouth-watering clash in Crystal Palace next month, they are hoping to prevent his turning his back on any other meet there before the 2012 London Olympics.
The British government was simply thinking about their own bottom line as given the ease of travel between England and Europe, track and field fans in that area will travel to other countries such as France, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland to see the sprinter perform.
And more importantly will spend their money in those areas with England missing out on the action.
Bolt is easily the biggest track star in the world right now and a money spinner who not only makes a lot for himself but for others wherever he goes. No way is the British government going to sit back and be left out of this.
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