Amatuer

[kopend]

what is the benefit of being an amateur in sport i.e gold

[EDDIE51]

??

[kopend]

sorry that should have read golf not gold

[Old_Geezer]

I guess you get a feel-good factor being able to do a proper day job for a proper day's pay and be an asset to the community ?

[Cloverjo]

But amateurs don't get paid, OG.
I don't quite understand why Olympic boxers have to be amateur, but other athletes don't. eg. Jessica Ennis-Hill and Usain Bolt get paid just to turn up at events.
You often read in stats about tennis players about when they turned pro. How does one "turn pro"? Is there a document they have to sign, or something?

[Old_Geezer]

Yes, that is the usual definition of amateur. (Except when they put money in trust for when they turn pro of course.)