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State schools provided majority of winning UK Olympians at Rio

Infinite Chaos

Infinite Chaos

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'More Rio medal winners were state-school educated'
The proportion of Team GB medal winners who were state-school educated has grown since London 2012, says an education charity.
Just under a third (32%) of Team GB's medal winners went to private school, down from 36% four years ago, suggests analysis by the Sutton Trust. Link.
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I've previously read that the Olympics squad were largely a "bunch of toffs (and one Somalian) on the BBC forums but this is good news. It does show that the preponderance of fee paying schools is not as large as suspected although it's reported that at least one "old Etonian" has won a medal at every games since 1992.
 
Infinite Chaos said:
I've previously read that the Olympics squad were largely a "bunch of toffs (and one Somalian) on the BBC forums but this is good news. It does show that the preponderance of fee paying schools is not as large as suspected although it's reported that at least one "old Etonian" has won a medal at every games since 1992.
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I am slightly surprised that so many Etonians would have the drive for sports required to make the Olympics. 'Would have thought state school kids would have it though. And they seem to. The UK was hitting way above its suspected weight. It appears that its people are still good for a pleasant surprise, anyway.
 
joG said:
I am slightly surprised that so many Etonians would have the drive for sports required to make the Olympics. 'Would have thought state school kids would have it though. And they seem to. The UK was hitting way above its suspected weight. It appears that its people are still good for a pleasant surprise, anyway.
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The suspicion is that most state schools and councils have had to sell off or replace sports facilities to make money and so comprehensive schools should produce far fewer athletes as there would be no facilities. There are examples where state school athletes are using private school facilities though.

As for Etonians, there are very well equipped facilities and those who go on to Oxford / Cambridge would be encouraged into sports like rowing etc but even there 50% of UK Olympic athletes come from state schools including Mohammed Sbihi who was part of the gold medal winning fours.
 
Infinite Chaos said:
I've previously read that the Olympics squad were largely a "bunch of toffs (and one Somalian) on the BBC forums but this is good news. It does show that the preponderance of fee paying schools is not as large as suspected although it's reported that at least one "old Etonian" has won a medal at every games since 1992.
Click to expand...

Still, 32% of medal-winning Olympians from private education when last I was aware c.7% of people attend private schools is a bit of an imbalance. Unsurprising though.
 
Infinite Chaos said:
The suspicion is that most state schools and councils have had to sell off or replace sports facilities to make money and so comprehensive schools should produce far fewer athletes as there would be no facilities. There are examples where state school athletes are using private school facilities though.

As for Etonians, there are very well equipped facilities and those who go on to Oxford / Cambridge would be encouraged into sports like rowing etc but even there 50% of UK Olympic athletes come from state schools including Mohammed Sbihi who was part of the gold medal winning fours.
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What I found most interesting in the medals count was the position at the top that a relatively small country like GB took.
 
joG said:
I am slightly surprised that so many Etonians would have the drive for sports required to make the Olympics. 'Would have thought state school kids would have it though. And they seem to. The UK was hitting way above its suspected weight. It appears that its people are still good for a pleasant surprise, anyway.
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A tad patronising. It shouldn't be a surprise considering the drive and money that has gone into, many programmes.
 
Andalublue said:
Still, 32% of medal-winning Olympians from private education when last I was aware c.7% of people attend private schools is a bit of an imbalance. Unsurprising though.
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Very few ways to change that balance, fee paying schools will have better facilities and an ethos where kids show sporting ability of pushing. Mind you - having sports coaches visit comprehensive schools to spot potential stars such as how Mohammed Sbihi was found is a good way to change things.
 
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