When celebrity gone "bad"

For those of you who are in Australia, you would have heard the news, Olympian swimmers Eamon Sullivan and Stephanie Rice appeared in Myer promoting Davenport and signing autographs for fans. One particular die hard fan, Jade Gunn, after queueing for 2.5 hours, was told by Stephanie that they only sign Davenport items, by the time she grabbed some Davenport undies and rejoined the queue, organiser had already set a cut-off point in front of her. She was left in tears afterwards etc etc. Also some other fans were told that Eamon and Steph will only sign certain items ie. something purchased from the sponsor's range, this shocked and upset many eager fans whom flooded Myer to meet their stars. Many people had then bagged Rice and Sullivan for being "insensitive" and "snobby".

Now, let's examine this in detail:

Ms. Gunn was supposed to attend work-for-the-dole job training, which she skipped at the risk of losing her benefits; she had also spent over $300 on airfare to Sydney to meet returning Olympians when they returned home but again missed Sullivan and Rice. Firstly, we all know that Olympians will tour most major cities after big games, secondly, correct me if I'm wrong, athletes do not get paid by being athletes, they get paid by commercial sponsorships; finally, commercial sponsorships are sometimes enforced by contracts which are excisable under the power of law.

While being unemployed, Ms. Gunn spent tax payer's dollars to go to Sydney to greet the athletes home, I'll give her the credit for supporting our Olympics team, however I don't see the rationale behind that when soon after, the atheletes will tour the country?? Also to skip work for the dole job training for personal pleasure, somehow that does not earn much sympathy points from me. Sponsors pay big money to celebrities who endorse their products, so it comes at no suprise that they would want returns on their investments. Although Davenport in this case had done horribly with their PR, but it makes sense to think that they would want you to buy their products if you want to meet the celebrities whom they have paid to attend the event.

Personally I'm not that much of a sports fan, and I don't understand people who WORSHIP their idols, let them be movie stars, singers, atheles. All those "stars" are working, just like every one of us, if they want to earn an income, they need to be bound by rules of their employer, again, like all of us. I don't believe it was the pair's intention to upset any one of their fans, that will be stupid; but, they are in contractual relationship with Davenport, and they should and need to avoid any action to breach their contract terms, which might include, only sign Davenport items. Ms. Gunn needs to get over herself and start to focus on getting a job! While I believe Davenport's PR department needs some serious help, I don't think the two athletes should be treated like some evil dream destroyers, it's not fair.

You guys out there are more than welcome to share your opinions and thoughts on this one!


The golden boy & girl (and the ex-golden couple) of the pool