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Olympic Perspectives…….
……… Plus & Not So Plus

By Tom Anselm

Did you watch the Olympics a few weeks ago? Jill and I got in some couch time as these remarkable athletes did feats with their feets, and other body parts as well. It was truly amazing to see the extent with which a person can extend their physical abilities.
There is a certain beauty in watching a person turn it up a notch as they come into the stretch, swim like a torpedo cutting through the sea, jump and swivel and hang and swing and spin and roll around with grace and strength and poise. Ah, to be able to run again! If I get so lucky as to make it beyond the clouds, one of the first things I’m-a gonna ask Good Old St. Peter is if I can run around the block a few times. I do miss that rush.
As much as there were many wonderful aspects of the event, there were a few I had a hard time with as well. Back when this all started in Greece in 8 BC, with Demetrius from Troy sprinting around Mt. Olympus chasing his rival Theocratis from Athens, it was pure sport. Or so they say. No politics, or so they say. I beg to differ. These games have always been and continue to be political, right? Which country gets the most medals, the most gold’s, sets the most records. Too bad, that it’s not just about the performances. I kind of think that maybe it is more that for the athletes themselves, and that the political rivalry stuff is more for the networks and their ratings.
Speaking of politics, I was heartened to see so many participants who displayed the flags of their nations as they finished their events or got their awards. Nothing jingoistic about this, just proud to represent their homelands, understanding what a privilege it was. On the other hand, there were some who failed in this regard. To them, I say ‘shame on you.’ If you want to benefit from the training and funding and organization that a nation offers to you, at least respect said nation. And anthem. Sing the dang song, why doncha? If not, then give your slot to someone who will. Oh, geez, here I go.

I am also not a fan of professional athletes participating in the Olympics. I know, sponsorships and logos and the cheaters from the Eastern Bloc nations have made this a necessity, I suppose. But I
am old enough to remember when it was an amateur contest, and that aspect lent a certain purity to the proceedings. So I say to the pros, get out of the way and let the new kids on the block have their shot. Take a knee, maybe?
Now to my biggest pet peeve: sports in the Olympics that are really not sports. Like Beach Volleyball. Come on, man. Sure, these people are good at what they do, but it’s just not right. It’s like being at, well, the BEACH, and in the sand and… it’s just not right.
Then we have BMX dirt bike stunts and races, and along with that, Skateboarding? Really? Again, yeah, they can do a lot of stuff I never could do even when I could do them, but this just dumb’s down the status of the Olympics to me. And finally, 3v3 basketball and Team Handball. Please. Since when do activities that are more in line with PE class rise to the caliber that allows them to be considered an elite sport?
Yeah, I am a grouch today. I get it. Just indulge me a bit, and I’ll get over it. Okay, I am better. Thanks for the patience.
Therefore, let me sincerely extend my warmest congratulations to all the participants, whether they medaled or not. Just to be able to say “Hey, I am one of the best athletes in the world” must be a heady feeling. Well-earned and well-deserved, oh, good and faithful athletes.
Heck, even if it is just Team Handball.

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