|
|
Mike Moser Summer Olympics in You would be hard pressed to find someone
who enjoys watching the Olympics every four years more than myself,
and for the past two weeks, my family and I have been glued to
the television soaking in every inspirational moment. Oh, I know what you are saying ... the coverage
this year lacks much in that the time difference makes nightly
reports a bit outdated for anyone who watches the news, reads
a newspaper or goes to an Internet site. The celebration of youth, to me, is exciting.
Besides, anything that can get "Who Wants to be a Millionaire"
off our screen is OK by me. There have been some wonderfully touching
moments this year as in years past. There have also been many
irritations and annoyances. So, in the spirit of the Olympics,
here are my medal ceremonies through the early part of this week.
And since there is no medal for bottom feeders and irritants,
I will simply give them darts. ·Gold medal to Amy Wilkinson, the American
diving medalist who displayed such a sweet disposition and honest
and genuine reaction to her upset win. Who will ever forget the
hug she received from her coach and her darting into the stands
to hug her mother and father? ·Dart to American swimmer Amy Van Dyken
who spit into her Dutch opponent's lane, accused the woman who
defeated her of taking steroids to gain man-like strength and
then tried to laugh it all off by saying it was only part of
the competitive spirit in the heat of the moment. Her explanation
makes me want to spit. ·Dart to the Australian news media
who found it news that American shot put star C.J., several months
ago in a non-Olympic competition tested positive for steroids.
C.J. is not competing in the Olympics and the news is old hat,
at best. In fact, the athlete says he is no longer a competitor,
so why would he risk ruining his reputation taking performance-enhancing
drugs when he no longer competes? ·Gold medal to NBC's nightly features
about the human spirit, the story behind some of the Olympians
competing in the games. The feature on the Turk weight lifter
who has virtually been a prisoner brought home some things that
we take for granted in this country. And, who will ever forget
the swimmer from Equatorial Guinea who could have drowned in
the swimming competition? The Olympian had been to the beach
once before the Sydney games, was forced to train in a hotel
swimming pool when it was not occupied by guests, and who wore
a 1960s-style swimsuit. All he wants is to not be an embarrassment
to his country, a new swim suit and maybe some money for his
education. ·Gold medal to the thousands of Australians
who cheered the swimmer on .... what an Olympic moment. ·Two darts to James Carter, the hurdler
who taunted those in his heat as he crossed the finish line.
When asked what that was all about, Carter said the gesture was
just a display of confidence. I am confident the track world
won't let him forget that personal lapse. Another sad display
of the ugly American. ·Dart to whoever is responsible for
doing away with the old style of scoring where judges were forced
to hold up score cards after each performance. Somehow, the electronic
tally took away some of the excitement, controversy and accountability
of the judges. ·Dart to the Olympic committee for
having security forces search those entering the various Olympic
venues. The dart was not for searching for drugs or weapons,
but searching spectators for Pepsi. Good grief, is this what
it has come to? I know sponsors pay a premium price, and realize
they should have the right to monopolize venues, but to prevent
individuals from the drink of their choice? What is that? I really have been irritated by the expert
commentators who tell us what we have just seen. I also felt
they were too critical of the athletes. It detracted from enjoyment
of the games. And finally, a comment about the timing of
the Olympics. Summer games to Americans are played in the summer,
not the fall. This time of year the games compete with college
and professional football, little league soccer, high school
sporting events and this year, a presidential election. Of course, if the games had been held in July in Sydney, it would have actually been in the middle of winter down under. Despite it all, I will watch the games to the end and then look forward to four years from now. The Olympic games are still the best spectator sport television has to offer. |