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They're each other's everything!
I was hoping, to some extent, to ignore the Beijing Olympics.
Mainly, I don’t like the idea of China raking in a bunch of cash, of how their human rights standards and Big Brother security undermine what should be a joyous event. Let’s just say the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver are considerably more appealing.
Try as I might, though, I’m sucked in
For one, there’s the added element of the China-US medal race, adding an element of “us versus them” not seen since the Cold War. It’s not easy to get riled up when you’re battling Australia or Jamaica for athletic supremacy. China’s quest for dominance smacks so much of nationalism that I feel compelled to respond in kind. So, anyway, Go USA! Or whoever’s battling the Chinese, which is why I found myself cheering as Kenya’s Wincatherine Nyambura Ndereba sprinted to a second place finish in the women’s marathon, crushing the silver medal hopes of China’s Zhou Chunxiu.
The Olympics have a way of bringing that out. I can still picture being on vacation (Sun River?) during the 1988 Calgary Games. The music brings me back, and the names of athletes you only hear from every four years, but ring like old friends.
But then I have to deal with those horrible human interest stories. I have to deal with endless interviews of athletes and their families. I have to go from rejoicing as Michael Phelps makes history, to watching an interview with him where he comes off a jerk. And I have to watch Debbie Phelps bask in the glow of the publicity, when I can’t help but picture her as every Little League mom the rest of the parents and kids couldn’t stand. I have to pray somehow Usain Bolt gets beat by someone, because even though it’s amazing to watch him dominate so easily, I can’t handle one more shot of him pointing to the stands after a race.
It’s hard to say what I want. On one hand, maybe we’re better off just not knowing who these guys are. I mean, don’t you need some level of self-obsession to destroy your opponents? But there’s also the flipside, where Kirby Puckett and Michael Jordan are still worshipped as legends, despite the fact Kirby was charged with sexual assault and spousal abuse, and His Airness is known regarded as a Grade A-hole.
In all fairness, Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt aren’t that bad…yet. And, on the plus side, excessive focus on Debbie Phelps did bring us the image of the guy sitting in front of her during the 100m Fly (around the 3:35 mark).
You know who seems the most likable athlete so far? Stephanie Brown Tafton, the woman who barely made the US team, then proceeded to chuck a discus farther than anyone else in the field. She was also remarkably gracious and soft-spoken in her interview. I’m just saying.
Oh, and I also have an affinity for Logan Tom, but for entirely different reasons.
Tags: olympics