Olympics on ice?

 

"The Olympics has devolved into a lot of money to train some elites from many different countries. And to what gain? Do the competing nations get along better once the games are over? Seldom. What happens to the Olympic structures once the games are over? Quite often they are left to rust." 

Could we be in the waning days of the Olympics? I have thought this once before during the Munich Olympics in 1972. The terror group Black September tried to kidnap and/or kill as many of the Israeli delegation as possible. For the most part, the plot failed but succeeded enough that it put an early end to the games. But that is not the case this year. This year we have a major competitor disinvited (Russia) and the countries who remain have been "chippy" towards each other. 

Then there was this. Amber Glenn, the self-professed pansexual (whatever that is), on a world stage, called out the Trump administration for not being understanding enough to the LGBTQ+ community. Note to Amber: when wearing the red, white and blue on the world stage, keep your yap shut about your opinions. You represent US - not just you. Then as if karma had wings, Amber was dinged some serious points in a subsequent event, which knocked her down to 13th place. Sorry Amber - no tears for you on that one.

At one time, the Olympics were a respite from the trials and tribulations of a troubled world. For just two weeks, the world community could come together and celebrate sports in a sportsmanlike competition. This year, I have noticed some cracks in that age old model. We can't allow politics to stain the pure sports being contested for. In 1968 in the Mexico City Olympics, we had two black track stars raise their closed fists on the podium. For all the world to see, we showed them that.

The Olympics has devolved into a lot of money to train some elites from many different countries. And to what gain? Do the competing nations get along better once the games are over? Seldom. What happens to the Olympic structures once the games are over? Quite often they are left to rust. 

My vote is simply this - time to hang it up folks. It was fun while it lasted, even with all the warts and bruises. But it is no longer fun. I don't want to be lectured by some pansexual in front of the rest of the world. Besides all of which, it is screwing up the new TV schedule. Full stop on this one. Now the hate mail can come in.