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Douse the Torch....... Please! A Commentary on the OLYMPICS by Joseph S. Bonsall
Adeendum added below... You know, I have always loved the Olympic Games, but these events are NOT generating the real magic they once did. I think I know why.
The first mistake made by the high and mighty Olympic Committee was changing the games to every other year. It used to be so cool that every four years was an OLYMPIC year, winter and summer games in the same year. Now we get an over-saturated and watered-down Olympics every two years, cutting down the overall excitement and anticipation! Oh, look the Olympics are on….. AGAIN. FLIP!
Back then we had more limited viewer choices than we do now. It seemed that, as a nation, we were glued to the TV for the Olympics. Now….. most of America watches something else. American Idol killed the Olympics (but then again so did a rerun episode of Lost!).
Back in the old days, we always had a villain to cheer against. USA….. USA….. USA….. beat those COMMIES!!! Now? It’s hard to get mad at the Norwegians and Finns, and AL QUEDA doesn’t have a bobsled team to root against. Neither is there a JIHADIST SKI TEAM to hate. I wish there were.
I used to love the appeal of young, amateur athletes working and sacrificing to win a medal for their country. I don’t begrudge anyone a good payday, however the competitors are making pretty big money now. The louder they talk the more they can make.
There are real Pros playing, as well. Did you watch the American NHL Hockey Team going through the motions? They were really bad. What happened to the spirit of 1980’s “Miracle on Ice?” It is NOT there anymore, folks! Those kids crying on the podium, because they dared to dream the impossible dream and then lived out that dream are now a distant memory. We may never see such a thing again, and that is what is so very sad.
There are many other reasons that interest has waned, such as the X Games takeover. HUH? HUH? HUH? There’s nothing like a good snowboard race or seeing a young girl go off a ramp, twist and turn, and then crash and burn. Don’t try this at home, kids!
I wonder sometimes if the athletes care as much as they used to. I have NEVER seen so many SPILLS and MISTAKES and FACE PLANTS on the ice and snow. These kids are the BEST in the world? I would have hated to see the tryouts!
Well, wait, I did get caught up in the American speed skater controversy when the white kid and the black kid wouldn’t shake hands. And I did find myself hanging on to every word skier wannabe Bode Miller had to say….. NOT!
I hate to sound so cynical in such an already cynical world. I will admit that I still really like the GAMES, and the ceremonies ARE well thought out and quite beautiful. And the great hope of world peace that is at the core of the event still seems to matter, I guess. But I will admit, I do not love the OLYMPICS the way I once did.
Is there a new episode of LOST on this week? GREAT........ go ahead and douse the torch!
JSB
Addendum: I have received a ton of response on the DOUSE THE TORCH |
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