The Olympics

Since the games that were credited in ancient Greece as the First Olympics way back before numbering years itself is creditable, politics have been a part of the Olympics. In those games, the star athlete, as I recall, was killed because the King had suspicions he was getting too celebratory with the Princess. I may have some of my games messed up, but they were originally put on for political expedience (choosing the best, that sort of thing) and even when they restarted in the “modern” era, politics have played almost their own venue at the games. One country boycotting one set of games, another using them as proof of their racial superiority, world wars keeping them from being held at all, bidding wars escalating over who is going to be able to host them, athletes taking the podium and making a political statement in their clothing, attitude or gestures.

I must say, with the notable exception of my own personal Enemy Number One (big-money media) these games have been remarkably a-political as far as the Olympics go. Now, we’re only two full days into the games, so a lot can happen, but my thanks to the countries and athletes participating that the games themselves have been competitive, thrilling to watch, and yet without headline-making scandal.

Yes, two Greek athletes were kicked from the games for what the Olympic Officials call (to my endless amusement) “doping”, and one Iranian refused to play in the games because he drew an Israeli as his first opponent (which, ironically, gives the win to Israel). And yes, though they were stunningly beautiful and an outstanding credit to Greece, the opening ceremony was about 14,527 hours too long. And yes, Bob Costas (who I actually like tolerably well as far as sports casters go) managed to slip in his own personal brand of anti-Americanism (during those very opening ceremonies) because the crowd refused to do so for him. We were, in fact, cheered lustily as we joined the Parade of Nations, but he refused to take it with good grace and attempted to put forward the concept that while Greeks love American athletes, they detest Americans and their political policies, so therefore were proving THEIR superiority by cheering us in stead of booing us because, ostensibly, they can separate politics and games.

This against a backdrop where Hitler used the Olympics to prove their superiority (the first televised games ever, indeed I was taught it the first ever major broadcast of any kind), Palestine took the opportunity of one games to blow up Israeli athletes, first “Western” then “Soviet” countries boycotted each other’s games altogether, black athletes chose to use the Gold and Silver platform for a political statement during the national anthem, I think we can say that (so far, anyway) these games have been all about the sports themselves.

Great rivalries (such as Thorp/Phelps in the pool) and new powers (USA men’s gymnastics first team medal in 20 years – only their second since 1932) are making these games interesting and fun to watch. NBC (though some of the shows they’re trying to advertise are abysmal) has kept its partisan mouth shut (for the most part) and is showing a TON of good coverage, and Greece has been an amazing backdrop.

I look forward to more.