Friday, August 8, 2008

Right up there with 1936, 1968, and 1980.

A lot of people like to say that the Olympics shouldn't be political.

Obviously, they often have been (see the examples in the tile for proof).

No fan of China, I don't know what I would have done if I had been in a position to compete or not compete this year. There is really no point in my worrying about it, since I lack athletic aptitude, much less ability and skill.

Nonetheless, I was a little self-righteous about the fact that despite continued evidence that the Chinese government is NOT doing what it said it would before the games, and that it IS taking fairly inhumane steps to keep controversy out of the games, not too many people seem to care.

Thus (yes, I just used THUS in a blog post), it was with great pride that I heard what our American team decided to do. I'm sure it's all over the TV tonight; it was all over NPR this morning. But just in case you've missed it, here's a link to a really beautifully written article in the Post.

And for the first time since Tulane University's Green Wave football players were co-national champions in 1998, I am ready to cheer for somebody.

Well done.

4 comments:

Sarah and Jack said...

What a story, eh?

Gave me goosebumps, and I thank you for sharing it. Now the opening ceremony will be just a little bit sweeter.

P.S. Did you catch China Inside Out with Bob Woodruff this week?

Natalie said...

Thanks for the info--I have been under a huge rock as far as the Olympics are concerned, kind of sad I guess. But that story makes me realize that it's not all politics and commercials...it's politics, commercials, and true life dreams coming true.

Lennye said...

Bravo! I heard this story this morning on Headline News. I suppose by now you've heard of the US Vollyeball Teams Coach's In-Laws being attacked while touring Bejing. The man was killed and his wife received life threatening injuries. We are living in a time of uncertainty. It behooves us to live life to its fullest and be ready for that day we will all meet Jesus.

Unknown said...

I am with on the China thing. I even have a hard time bringing myself to buy something made there. My mom was telling me about all the workers they used to build the structures for the Olympics and how they werent given access to the games and even lost many homes becasue of it.
The story was awesome and such a passive aggressive way to flip China the bird.