Even though going to art museums is an activity I enjoy doing, I still believe that governments should concentrate on funding athletics like Olympic teams much more than paying for arts.

For one thing, one team at the Olympics represents one country. By winning Olympic gold, an athlete can bring glory and honor to all of the people in the country. People will feel proud of their motherlands when they are watching athletes from their nation competing and winning. Sports events are splendid opportunities to arouse one’s patriotic emotion and improve a nation’s cohesion. By the way, competitive sports can also play an educational and inspirational role for the public. The sportsmanship exhibited by athletes such as surpassing oneself or pursuing perfection, is an spiritual inspiration for the people.

Besides, hosting big sports events such as Olympics or FIFA can not only entertain people but also improve a country’s economy.  Tickets, television and advertising revenues are direct incomes which are much higher than the upfront investments on an event. In addition, more people will be employed to provide sporting buildings and facilities, which can improve the rate of employment. A lot of audience from other countries will come. Of course they will not only watch games, they will stay, eat and custom. This helps to develop the local tourism. For an government, supporting athletics means not only paying but payback.

If the government subsidize more athletic facilities, the zeal of undertaking physical exercises among citizens will be greatly stimulated. Most people will feel refreshed and vigorous after taking up physical exercises. The more important thing is, people’s health is strengthened via exercises. More time you spent in the gym, less time you spent in the hospital. As is known, each responsible government expenses a lot on citizens’ medical and health insurance.  This amount of money will be saved much if the government pays on public athletics. Indirectly, increased number of healthy citizens means that the country’s development is more energetic.

I admit that art is an essential part of the human cultural heritage. However, what is an ‘good’ art? Different people must have different opinions. Art is so sophisticated that hard to be standardized. Unstandardized things are difficult to regulated and supervised. Investing too much on arts will cause corruption inevitably. It is mortal for an government. I believe the government has duty to protect the most important and representative arts, but should leave the major part of them to private groups.

Government funding is limited, so it should be used effectively and clearly. Supporting on sports can improve people’s quality of life and country’s economy. Compared with arts, athletics are much easier to be standardized and managed. In conclusion, athletic is a better investing choice for a government.