Cultural snobbery?

Danyl McL blogs on Te Papa’s purchase of Peter Snell’s singlet in an auction:

They shut down their award-winning publishing company so they could buy a fucking singlet.

Almost all his commentators of course agree with him. Putting aside the faulty logic (Te Tapa Press has not closed down), and comparing a one off purchase to ongoing costs, I do wonder if this is a sign of cultural snobbery – Peter Snell was just an athelete – that is not part of our culture and heritage and should not be funded by Te Papa.

For my 2c I reckon an exhibit that shows off Snell’s singlet and has a history of his running and gold medals would be hugely popular at Te Papa, and hundreds of thousands of kids would see it over time.