Have The Olympics lost Their Luster?

Views: 326
Added: Sat Aug 9th 10:16am
Posted in: Sports

• » print
• » report
• » email

Pat Paciello
For me, the Olympics have lost their luster. In the past, the "Miracle on Ice" - The USA defeating the Soviet Union, the overwhelming favorite in ice hockey, and then winning the gold medal ranks as one of my greatest sports moments. People like Billy Mills, Rafer Johnson, and Al Oerter were athletes of epic proportions. Today, I don't follow the Olympics with the same passion that I did in the past. I asked myself why not and came up with the following reasons: # 6. As we get older, we always think the old days were better than the present. Remember twenty years from today, these will be the good old days. #5 Globalization of sports and television - Most major sports have a host of international stars on their rosters. Network and sport cable stations allow you to watch global sporting events of all types of athletic endeavors. This makes the Olympics less unique than in the past. #4 Steroid and doping allegations clouds the legitimacy of today's athletes. #3 Growing up in the 60's, the Russians were our main rivals in politics as well as sport. Winning more gold medals at the Olympics was important to Americans. #2 Playing professional athletes in the Olympics is a turn off for me. I would rather lose with amateurs, than win with professionals. I don't care what the philosophy is of other countries. I think it violates the Olympic sprit. #1 I admit I never understood the Biathlon. Who skies down a mountain, whips out a riffle and starts shooting? But as the years go by, the sports that are added to the Olympics defy logic. Badminton - This is a game to be played at picnics, preferably after you have had several cold beers. Beach Volleyball - If you are at the beach, it's hot - the sand is hot, get a beer and go for a swim! But my favorite is Synchronized Swimming - Did an Olympic official watch a late-night Esther Williams movie, have an epiphany and say we have to make this into a competitive Olympic event?