Comment by jasonfarnon
3 years ago
I feel about this the way I feel about most so called conspiracy theories. I'm certain intelligence agencies are involved something similar to this. It would be really surprising if they didn't avail themselves of this huge means of influence. They spend all day wondering about how to influence. But I'm more skeptical that the conspiracy theorist actually managed to catch the intelligence agency's activity in this particular case.
This is basically every sports fan theory that every game is rigged on the basis of a few point shaving scandals.
I think you got the analogy wrong. It's rather that probably some games are actually rigged but the fans are not complaining about exactly these.
If you spend any time on a sports forum like reddit, you quickly learn there are 32 teams in the NFL and 31 of them are dirty cheaters who bribe the refs.
Every game is probably exaggerated but I've watched enough sports as a kid. Even back then it was clear to me that big, especially international, events are highly orchestrated. Yes, including outcomes.
I've been watching F1 for several decades and some key races are jazzed up to the point that one must actively suspend their disbelief. Not to mention Bernie Ecclestone straight up saying who's going to be champion and who isn't ever going to be one. It's all fake, dude. Unless you really believe some countries are thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat much better at sports (and everything else) because they're just that awesome in every respect.
Maybe some countries are that much better at sports because they invest money into it? Facilities, medics, training, athlete development programs etc.
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