Speech for speaker 1

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, the topic we debate today is that “Elite sports are in crisis.

The affirmative have said today that this statement suggests that … (15 seconds commenting on the opposition’s definition)

However, we define Crisis as a time of danger or great difficulty. Or a decisive moment where severe harm will occur. We define elite sports as the group of people considered to be the best in a particular society or category of sports. And we do not believe that elite sports are not quite at the point of cataclysmic annihilation. In fact we believe they are going great.

As the first speaker of the negative I will talk about how Elite sport is not in crisis but in fact growing in popularity, growing in its contribution to the economy and is positively supporting a better and more equal society.

Our second speaker will explain that the idea of crisis is something that can be imagined because of the focus of the media on the bad stories and she will put this feeling in perspective. She will also talk about how they have inspired and continue to inspire many and including those most vulnerable and disadvantaged such as those with disabilities. She will also show that positive role models have arisen and inspire many to noble values such as teamsmanship.

Our third speaker will wrap up our arguments with some good old fashioned common sense.

In the affirmative’s arguments they attempted to argue that … (30 seconds)

There is no doubt that sport has changed ladies and gentlemen,…… but not from glory to crisis!! Sports have moved over time from the humble toss of a rock, to school boys playing footy at lunch time to what we have now; millions of viewers, thousands of jobs and increasing professionalism. Is this what we call a crisis? The 2012 Summer Olympics had at least 4.7 billion people, about 70% of the global population, watching some part of it on tv.

Also, Elite sports have now become a multi-billion dollar industry creating jobs for thousands of people. Wouldn’t you say that this sounds more like progress than a crisis? Elite sports bring billions of dollars into our community. Would we be happy to have all the money that elite sports now bring into Australia and all the jobs they provide vanish? Now that ladies and gentlemen would be a crisis!

Have you heard of the Glenn McGrath Foundation working to help cure breast cancer? How about the Shane Warne Foundation? These are examples of elite sports people who are doing great charity work to improve society. In fact thousands of Elite sports people have also become key activists to create a society that is more equal. Footy players going out into indigenous communities are another great example of this. No crisis there ladies and gentlemen.

This picture I have painted for you today is not one of crisis but of progress.