Lovable losers - the Olympic ideal or waste of space?

MELBOURNE: The Olympic movement has a long history of loveable losers but debate rages over whether they embody the spirit of Games or are a distraction unworthy of competing alongside the world's top athletes.

Ski-jumper Eddie "the Eagle" Edwards, swimmer Eric "the Eel" Moussambani and the Jamaican bobsleigh team all caught the sporting world's attention at the Olympics, even though they never had a hope of winning a medal.

Despite the misgivings of Games officials, the wildcard system that allowed some of the worst performers in Olympic history to compete remains in place for Beijing and speculation has already begun about potential flops in the making.