Well Bill, we're just not going to be able to agree on this one.

I can't generate the seriousness you seem to attach to the O.G's. To refresh my memory I went to my dictionary where the meanings of Sport and Game are very similar. Amusement or pastime, a pleasant diversion. That's kind of how I still see it.
Yeah, the AIS gets around the schools with developement programs. But schools to me are where we develope our plumbers, accountants and scientists. Not to bring on the next world champion fly-fisherperson.
I'll leave it to you to tell the sky-divers that what they're doing isn't sport, and the cavers, and the scuba divers. They cannot be viewed by the public either. On that criteria what would become of yatching? And when was marginal interest a criteria for participation. How many synchronised swimmers of fencers have you met? None, yeah me neither - but I've met plenty of surfers.
We were up to our bums in packpackers long before the O.G's arrived Bill, and for the youth of the world to get together for communication, better understanding etc I reckon they beat the Olympic participants hands down. Just imagine the hothouse of the Olympic Village. Thousands of athletes (can you call a middle-aged shot-gun shooter an athlete? )lumped together for 2 weeks. What with training sessions, being at other venues to support team members, their own heats, rub downs etc there wouldn't be much time left for deep and meaningful communications. But the packpackers stay long enough in a country to pick up it's ambience, its culture, what makes it click politically and when they go home they are able to pass on information about your country and its people in knowledgeable and reasoned manner. They're the one's more likely to say to there friends / family - hey, bet you didn't know Australia is a constitutional monarchy ---

JG / FME.