There’s been a lot of talk at the Olympics about Michael Phelps surpassing Mark Spitz’s record of seven gold medals. Frankly, I’m kind of tired of it. I think he is too. Talk about pressure. Everytime he finished a great swim exhibiting guts, grit and class, the stupid media would ask him about the NEXT race. They didn’t even let him enjoy the moment.
But the media has pissed me off in several ways. I’ve been ranting about this since the opening ceremonies when Bob Costas stated that the small country of Benin should “..enjoy the opening ceremony since chances are they won’t win any medals.”
Then, every news network pounded away at how the opening ceremonies were “creepy” and sending “political messages”. Here’s my opinion.
Does China have human rights issues? Absolutely.
Is China sending the message to the rest of the world that they’re a superpower and they’re HERE? Absolutely.
Should all of that be constant fodder during Olympic coverage? No!
If our country decides to participate (and we could boycott as we have in the past) then we ought to be gracious to the country who hosts the games. Sure we have political differences with China. Hell, we have political differences with Canada. So what?
Don’t include your vicious ethnocentric politics in my Olympic experience.
And quit blathering on about how many gold medals we have versus the rest of the world. I think the media is missing the point. The Olympics are exactly what R.G. said they were. They’re the story of Kristy Coventry who represented the country of Zimbabwe. A small country in turmoil and poverty who pinned their hopes on one swimmer for a small victory on a world stage. Or Lopez Lamong, who carried the U.S. flag. He was kidnapped from his Sudanese parents but once paid to watch a black and white t.v broadcast of the 2000 Olympics. He watched Michael Johnson run and a dream was born. No matter where he places in the 1500 meter race, he is a hero to come as far as he has.
No matter what country, or what circumstances, or what race, all of these athletes are the best of the best. They have to reach a minimum standard that is more than any of us could ever reach.
So perhaps, those athletes from Benin are bigger heroes than anyone just watching the competition. Perhaps they are already golden.
After all, no matter how many medals are won or how many records are broken, every one of them can say “I was in the Olympics. I had a shot at Gold.”
August 17th, 2008 at 10:09 am
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August 17th, 2008 at 11:17 am
You are so totally correct. The whole spirit of the games is peace and brotherhood. Yeah, so the world all over has turmoil. Cant we put it aside for just a few weeks?
I get such a thrill from the music; i played it in middle school that theme, what’s it called, i can’t find it. Dun na dun na dun na, du du du dun na dun na dun na. anyway.
And the music evokes that sense of brotherhood, to me. It’s a shame it’s come down to a game to some.
August 17th, 2008 at 11:22 am
What Jen said.
August 17th, 2008 at 11:24 am
hey sugar!!
my friend MA over at the culture wars… suggested we alll pick an “olympic boyfriend” to root for…and to help us stay abreast of OTHER athletes..besides just M Phelps…but you know me….i couldnt pick just one..so i built an olympic “fantasy team” …thats not sooo wrong…is it???
xoxo
ps..omg!!!..i have some stories for you!!
August 17th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Bravo!
I want to love the Olympics. I want to believe that it is something that brings us all together for a moment. Especially in this day and age where people don’t all watch the same channels on TV anymore with satellite and cable and the internet.
And the flip side is we can see how one network can slant things and have such an influence when everyone is watching.
Any previous views on President Bush aside, I think he handled the interview on NBC with class. They asked him about China’s civil rights record and whether he was using the Olympics to discuss it with the Chinese government. It’s like they wanted to create that contention, but the President commended the Chinese for being gracious hosts and he stated that the discussion with China and the U.S. has been in place for a long time and is ongoing, the Olympics are more than an excuse to “open talks”. I thought he was very respectful and well spoken and succinct in stating his position.
I loved how Michael Phelps grinned like a little boy every time he won. I loved how his mother cried every time. He is an exemplary Olympian and I know why they want to focus the story on him, but I do miss hearing about heroes from other countries, some countries with only one or two athletes competing on this world stage. It feels like there was a lot more of that in previous Olympic broadcasts.
August 17th, 2008 at 11:59 am
Leigh, I get the idea the games are about competition. After our embarrassing doping incidents (Marion Jones), it would be nice to see a little humility in our coverage.
Oh SB, I can just imagine your stories. Can I take notes?
Chi, you are my new hero. You say it so well.
August 17th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
hi jen! i love how there are still some of us who watch the olympics and look past the glitz and hoopla over gold. it’s still a major beautiful moment for the human race, in my book.
August 17th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Exactly, Mima.
August 19th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Didjou guys see the photoshoot by Annie Lebowitz (sp??) with our golden boy as a merman?
OMG