No offense, but . Perception does not define reality.

Ugh--I need an aspirin and a break after that one.

 

Again, no offense, but .

The interviews I've seen from the majority of US athletes have all been of people who are dedicated athletes and are proud to represent the US. The egos seem to belong to a few of the pro athletes. Regardless, all the athletes should be proud that they are there and proud of their respective countries. I simply don't buy into your assertion that US athletes are competing any differently that any other athlete there. People complain if they display our flag (we're too proud). People complain if they don't (it's all for personal glory). Guess they can't please all the people....

Not all athletes are doping and it's unfair to assume that they are.

The coverage I've seen has been more than fair. Coverage of the men's team gymnastics last night was excellent. The commentators were falling all over themselves to point out the strengths of the other countries. There simply was no bias...unless you consider the US commentator complaining that the Romanian didn't get a high enough score as biased. Ditto with the swimming. The bias I see is that the popular sports get the bulk of the primetime coverage, which I understand even if I don't like it.

I despise NBC, but so far I have been ok with the job their doing.

 

Some of these kids who are in the Olympics have been training for all their lives to compete -- they sacrifice the play time that most kids enjoy in order to be up before dawn and endure grueling physical training and exercise in order to perform and for an opportunity to represent the USA. Only a few ever cross over into the commercial arena and become famous/wealthy. I'm proud of the kids who represent this country. I refuse to become cynical and scoff at the back-breaking work so many endure in order to compete because a few bad eggs are out there to tarnish our image. I'm proud to be an American and proud that these folks choose to represent their home country.

 

God love ya Darlene, well put.....in a country of 260 mil people plus, these kids have made it this far with blood, sweat, and tears for the most part. I wonder if most of us realize the sacrifice that these people endure to make it as far as they have (yes.... even the basketball team). I say God Bless all Olympians from every country, and unless you can do better.......

 

HOLY GOLD MEDAL BATMAN! What is with you people?
Thank you Blue, Valentine & jmc for bringing some intelligence and perspective to this conversation.

Zippy - go slap yourself! First of all, before you start going metaphysical and pseudo-intellectual on us at least understand the concepts your relating. You have the whole perception vs reality thing completely bassackwards. The point is SELF perception is YOUR reality. It has nothing to do with what someone else thinks!!! Here's a story...my now 22 yo son has a learning disability and was getting teased and called "dummy" by his classmates in 4th grade. He shared his feelings with me and I told him he needs to define himself and not let other people tell him who he is. As he got out of the car I said "Hey dummy" and he turned around. I told him as long as that's how he saw himself, that's how others will see him too. Well that did the trick. All he did is ignore that label and it eventualy went away.

And if you think I (and hopefully most Americans) give a flying about what the Aussies, French, Iraqi, or Tibetan (do they even have a team? ) think, you need to slap yourself again. No doubt we piss a lot of people off and frequently they are justified in criticising and questioning our motives. But that's not what the Olympics are about.

Yes, I love the Olympics and I love what they represent in my naive and idealistic world. Despite all the overt commercialism and sensationalism (much of which the games couldn't exisit without) the Olympics still have a purity and enthusiasm that does not exist in any other venue - sporting or otherwise. It is relatively free from religious or political influence. It provides an excuse to set aside petty and not so petty differences and conflicts. It celebrates the best things about humanity while diverting our attention from some of the worst.

Long live the olympics.
jd

 

Bless you both and Blu -- I'm sure you know a little about the sacrifices our athletes make -- your wonderful son probably passes up a lot of "fun" time for his sport and does himself proud -- you, too, deserve kudos for giving your time (and for going blonde) to coach your son and other deserving youngsters. This is what America is about and this is what parenting is about -- giving of yourself, your talent and your time to achieve.

 

Awwwww that wasn't fair.... The last athlete I rooted for was Lance Armstrong in his latest Tour De France

 

[QUOTE=johnnydev,Aug 17 2004, 06:35 PM]Zippy - go slap yourself!

 

I think its my age, but it seems like a rerun - still I enjoy parts and pieces. What I don't like is when it gets overhyped and which is when I turn it off.

Maybe its a bit better this year but the ratio of actual sports to boring interviews and commercials has been going downhill over the years.

Nonetheless if you can get past the occasional excessive hype and production (sometimes it IS well done) there's some legitimate drama and excitement - some of these people have dedicated their lives for a chance at just a moment of greatness and fame (what an incredible risk!) and its remarkable to see them succeed as well as sometimes sad when they fail.

I'll have to admit I enjoyed more this year than some of the others - while thinking I wouldn't - I think at times they doing a bit better job with the coverage - the drama of the challenge for the individuals has always been real and it still shows through.

(And yes you can find negatives - if that's what you are looking for you can find them anywhere)