Elite Competitiveness vs. Mass Fitness

Elite competitiveness and mass fitness are two reasons to motivate the country to get in physical shape. Elite competitiveness would be the idea that the country needs to get in shape so that we can compete and win in world class events of all sorts. Mass fitness is the idea that we need to get in shape simply because it is healthy and it would make our country look much better for us to be healthy. Obviously it is in the best interest of the country to be more healthy and highly regarded around the world, but the question is, which mentality would work better in improving the nations health?
In the idea of elite competitiveness, if the best of America go out around the world and compete and win, that would set a great example for the rest of the Americans. These winners would become idols and the physical shape they are in would motivate others to join them and work hard to gain similar physical shape. These days, kids in America tend to pick a favorite celebrity to base their childhood off of. Some kids pick athletes, some kids pick rock starts, and there are some kids who pick artists. However, imagine if the majority of children in America were basing their childhood life style on one of the top athletic competitors in the world. These kids would be driven to be in just as good of shape as these athletes and this would improve our physical health as a nation.
On the other hand, the idea of mass fitness would work well too. This would be more based on the government implementing some kind of required program for everyone in the country to participate in and get in better shape. Once people start doing the program, then naturally people will become competitive with each other and try to get in better shape then their peers. So instead of a world known athlete motivating people to exercise, everyone's peers would be motivating people to exercise. This could also potentially be very successful.
Regardless of the method plan, getting everyone in the whole country into shape is a very difficult thing to do. Hints the fact that it is a high priority and it is far from getting done in the country.