Even the North Koreans have it better than the Iraqi team under Saddam Hussein. His psychopathic boy was in charge of breaking the legs of losing athletes. They were all accompanied to the games by armed chaperons, lest they decide not to come home afterward. Can't imagine why they wouldn't.

At least British athletes have the option of cashing in with endorsements, which is where the real money is. According to this, Chinese tennis player Li Na will make $42,000,000 from endorsements. That's serious money in China. No Brits on the list, but surely there's at least a beer deal for somebody. Not a multi-million dollar ad deal, just free beer.



Update: at least one British athlete, Jessica Ennis, is cashing in - with a Jaguar endorsement, no less. At £1,000,000 this year she's almost caught up with Kobe Bryant's bling budget.