I actually wasn't sure under which category to post this...good sports or infotainment. Maybe that illustrates the devolution of the Olympic Games.
I'm as ardent of a fan for the US that exists. I took a little heat for chanting "USA USA USA" when the Romanian dude missed the high bar last night. That said, I'm right there along with several other like-minded patriots who feel no remorse over USA Basketball's humbling defeat to hoops powerhouse Puerto Rico.
What an opportune time for a little mocking.
You know, I still want my team to win the gold. But I cannot bring myself to root for A. Iverson. Under any circumstances. I am loathe to root for a group of athletes who know little about team play and even less about having the character of champions. When the A-list hoopsters feel no compunction about bailing on the Olympics because of endorsement conflicts, scheduling conflicts, and ego conflicts, I'd much prefer a team of elite collegians working together and giving their best effort -- even if the rest of the world benefits by our largesse by enhancing the skills of their players in our Pro circuit.
And my disdain for the state of athletics extends into the world of track and field, where I watched with no small portion of glee as sprinting celebrities have either been excluded because of positive drug results or those not yet caught but under suspicion have run sub-standard times that kept them out of the limelight. I want America's best representing us. But if they became the best using unfair, artificial means, then their pedestal was indeed established on a fault, and the inevitable quake deservedly has (or will) bring them down.
I've enjoyed the swimming, but not the hype of Michael Phelps. I hope he wins all the golds he can, setting records along the way. In my humble estimation, though, he'll never outdo Mark Spitz (for whom the accolades came after the accomplishment).
By the way, this post was sponsored by Pollyanna®, your foremost producer of naïvety and innocence.
August 17, 2004 3:26 PM*Nods head in agreement*
Posted by: Christopher at August 17, 2004 7:41 PM