The Olympics have become the furthest thing from sport and athleticism. I am completely disgusted at what has happened to what used to be such a proud stage of accomplishment in an athlete’s life. Just getting to that point was beautiful. Winning a medal was humbling.
The obnoxious behavior displayed by primarily American athletes (and at least one Canadian wrestler I saw) was beyond sportsmanship. Parading around as if there was no competition to begin with has deteriorated this once noble athletic meet.
We can use the example of the American relay team. Jon Drummond, the veteran relay captain, said, “If anyone was offended by our behavior, we sincerely apologize. But anyone who ever got a raise on their job or the reward they were looking for their whole career would have the same response.”
I’m sorry, but if I got a raise or any reward of any kind, I wouldn’t be taking the company flag and washing my privates with it, nor would I make an utter fool of myself by making it seem like the reward had my name written all over it to begin with.
This is the time to appreciate, not to brag.
It seems that today’s athlete has become nothing but a body that crosses the finish line. The heart and spirit have been washed down the drain along with nobility.
You are supposed to represent the United States.
You are not the United States.
I wish that the Olympic committee would slap some etiquette rules down. Fine if you came in first, but now show some sportsmanship and stop looking at the results on the board. Shake hands with some of your fellow athletes who came here from countries other than the one in your feeble brain where you fancy yourself king.
This is an opportunity to meet other people, to appreciate other athletes. If you cannot display these seemingly simple behaviors, the gold should not be yours even if you won by 10 minutes.
Of course, I couldn’t imagine the Olympic committee displaying any sense of rationale after they allowed professional athletes to become the Dream Team. I won’t deny that the basketball team of ’92 was made up of exceptional players, but they already were accomplished as athletes. Let someone else try. Play with someone your own size, for goodness sake.
The Americans may have won the most medals, but when it comes to being true athletes, they are lagging far behind. Chances are, they never will win.
I am not denying that the Olympics define competition, but it certainly amounts to more than that, or at least it should.
I say put all the money and sponsorship on the Special Olympics.
At least we will see honesty and witness the true meaning of sport.
