"If you don't try to win you might as well hold the Olympics in somebody's back yard." ~Jessie Owens
So are you watching the Summer Olympics?? I hope so; amid all the politics and controversy there always emerge some great human interest stories. Two of my favorite so far:
The Story of the USA Flag Bearer in the Opening Ceremony ~ He was adopted as a teenager by a family who lives about 15 miles from my hometown.
The USA Victory in the Men's 4x100 Swim Relay ~ I saw this one live on Sunday night, and it was something else. Nothing like a come-from-behind victory and a split-second finger touch to excite the crowd. I know, I know: some people are criticizing the Americans for celebrating inappropriately. While I can see how some may have found the over-exuberance of Michael Phelps annoying, I didn't think he or any of his teammates were being rude or disrespectful. That's just adrenaline-fueled joy, in my opinion. Americans tend to be less reserved in situations like that...but is it inappropriate for that situation? I don't know...I'd be interested in what you think.
Next week I'll be posting some of my favorite Summer Olympics moments from past games. Anyone have any they want to throw into the ring for consideration?
7 comments:
Keri Strung finishing the pommel horse event and nailing the landing with one healthy ankle/leg.
You know, stuff like this really irritates me. I think it's just sour grapes because they didn't win. People just love finding fault with our country and yet, we have always shown such courtesy, respect and admiration for the feats of others (from other countries). I do not think what they did was inappropriate at all. I agree that it was just adrenalin from the moment. Inappropriate would've been talking smack to the others and they didn't. Even in the interview afterwards when the comments of someone else - printed in a paper, no less - were brought up, they shrugged it off and said something like they didn't respond to stuff like that - they let their swimming respond for them. What they did that night was huge and I refuse to let anyone bring me down about it. They were awesome!
That's just stupid... I haven't been watching much of the olympics because of my schedule, but to say that his celebrating was inappropriate? It's not like he got in the French swimmers faces and rubbed it in (despite the fact THEY talked smack about US). He was just totally stoked!
That was not even close to being inappropriate celebrating, even if the French swimmer hadn't said anything. Disrespectful would have been shoving the French team back in the pool and flipping them off. If were so disrespecful, why were the French swimmers in such a hurry to shake Micheal Phelps' hand after the medal presentation? People who critize displays of emotion like that are people who have never tried to do anything extrordinary in their whole lives.
Well said, Chad!
I try and look over the pettiness of some of the press and other countries. I try to rejoice with the winners. Cindi
China seems like a hard country to compete in for our athletes. Look at all the controversy surrounding the Chinese women's gymnastics team. Yikes!
On a different note, Alicia Sacramone's performance last night was pretty painful to watch. Anyone else cry when they watched it???
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