As a boy, I loved the Olympics more than any other sporting event in the world. I waited impatiently every four years for the Olympics to return. I loved it more than the Stanley Cup Finals, more than the Super Bowl, more than the World Series, and, yes, more than The Masters.
Oh and one more thing... Wow! I had no idea about your athletic chops. I played college basketball and tennis, so I know that anyone that has been invited to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs has to be among the best of the best in whatever athletic discipline they are pursuing. I can now understand your interest in and commentary on sports, which I have found to typically be in short supply among aficionados of Ayn Rand's philosophy. It is very much appreciated by this sports-loving Objectivist...thank you!
I watched the golf, which was fun with excellent winners and medalists. But I didn't watch anything else, and I haven't for years for your 'Bob Costas reason', though I can't say I ever focused only on Costas. The 'human interest' stories that took over Olympics coverage decades ago simply didn't interest me, and I'm sure they've only gotten worse. Since I didn't watch any of it, I didn't know about the politicization of everything but that is not surprising. Everything, as you and others I follow have pointed out repeatedly, has become a political contest. I'm glad I missed it and from what I've read I'm not alone. This appears to be the least-watched Olympics in quite awhile. Hopefully the billions that organizations such as NBC and the NBA continue to lose because of the political nonsense they spew will either be the end of them or the catalyst to something better.
Also, intra-Olympic infrastructure and counseling for all amateur athletes. It is insane to ask these world class athletes to put their life on hold for decades in order to compete in their chosen sport. Coaching, training, social media and journalism gig offers should abound for these athletes.
To improve the Olympics, my recommendation is to first remove all the flags. The athletic effort should be the singular focus, no what country they are from.
The second recommendation is to permanently locate the Olympics in Greece, their original home. No more corruption and backroom deals and money involved in the selection of the next city to be awarded the Olympics. Winter Olympics, where ever.
I do disagree with the articles suggestion regarding amateur vs professional athletes. Participation should be based on merit of ability only.
The enthusiasm for the clean competition of the Olympic games is a laudatory idea. The reality is the bloated "games" with sports no one watches or cares about is not a t.v. draw any more. The Olympics is a entertainment business first. To bring the love of the competition back, the money has to leave. NBC shows the competitions people will watch. That is how they charge the rates for commercials shown. The National Football League stopped being a sport in the early 80's when they banned un-tucked jerseys and required color coordinated tape for the players socks. They have been an entertainment business since. Now a "woke" business just like the Olympics. The sport of both is long gone.
Oh and one more thing... Wow! I had no idea about your athletic chops. I played college basketball and tennis, so I know that anyone that has been invited to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs has to be among the best of the best in whatever athletic discipline they are pursuing. I can now understand your interest in and commentary on sports, which I have found to typically be in short supply among aficionados of Ayn Rand's philosophy. It is very much appreciated by this sports-loving Objectivist...thank you!
I watched the golf, which was fun with excellent winners and medalists. But I didn't watch anything else, and I haven't for years for your 'Bob Costas reason', though I can't say I ever focused only on Costas. The 'human interest' stories that took over Olympics coverage decades ago simply didn't interest me, and I'm sure they've only gotten worse. Since I didn't watch any of it, I didn't know about the politicization of everything but that is not surprising. Everything, as you and others I follow have pointed out repeatedly, has become a political contest. I'm glad I missed it and from what I've read I'm not alone. This appears to be the least-watched Olympics in quite awhile. Hopefully the billions that organizations such as NBC and the NBA continue to lose because of the political nonsense they spew will either be the end of them or the catalyst to something better.
Also, intra-Olympic infrastructure and counseling for all amateur athletes. It is insane to ask these world class athletes to put their life on hold for decades in order to compete in their chosen sport. Coaching, training, social media and journalism gig offers should abound for these athletes.
To improve the Olympics, my recommendation is to first remove all the flags. The athletic effort should be the singular focus, no what country they are from.
The second recommendation is to permanently locate the Olympics in Greece, their original home. No more corruption and backroom deals and money involved in the selection of the next city to be awarded the Olympics. Winter Olympics, where ever.
I do disagree with the articles suggestion regarding amateur vs professional athletes. Participation should be based on merit of ability only.
The enthusiasm for the clean competition of the Olympic games is a laudatory idea. The reality is the bloated "games" with sports no one watches or cares about is not a t.v. draw any more. The Olympics is a entertainment business first. To bring the love of the competition back, the money has to leave. NBC shows the competitions people will watch. That is how they charge the rates for commercials shown. The National Football League stopped being a sport in the early 80's when they banned un-tucked jerseys and required color coordinated tape for the players socks. They have been an entertainment business since. Now a "woke" business just like the Olympics. The sport of both is long gone.