"If the opening ceremonies are the wedding then we're the reception." David Arnold, music director of the closing ceremonies which are on tomorrow.
I've enjoyed the Olympics and have been very proud of the Americans. From today's paper the United States leads the medal standing with ninety-four to China's eighty-one and forty-one gold medals to China's thirty-seven. Apparently there are some out there that aren't so proud of us.
John Canzano is a sports columnist of The Oregonian whose assignment the last couple of weeks has been to attend the Olympics. He is a good writer and responsive to e-mails. He had an interesting column a couple days ago
http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/john_canzano/index.ssf/2012/08/canzano_nobody_but_america_cou.html
I really don't care what the rest of the Olympic world thinks of us, I'm going for the gold. The goal of life is to be the best you can be and Americans shouldn't be hammered for doing just that. What is your opinion?
The next article comes to us from DR. It is a little long but well worth the read. One of my favorite annual TV events is when CNN honors the everyday heroes. Heroes like the nun in the following story:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/09/us/cnnheroes-fitzgerald-hour-children/index.html?eref=mrss_igoogle_world
Since the above article was a little long we are only doing two articles and replacing the third article with a question of the day. I may do a question of the day where I mention someone in the news and you tell my why they are in the news. I'm not sure how many days a week I will do it or if I will do it at all. But for today can you tell my why Shannon Eastin is in the news? E-mail answers to williamjdahn@aol.com
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6 comments:
I'm sure my opinion will be minority and unpopular, but I pretty much agree with Canzano. Due to my almost total lack of interest in the Olympics, I can't say my opinion is informed, but standing back and watching even a little of the foofaraw makes me think the whole medal business has gotten more than a little bit silly.
Sr Teresa Fitzgerald, on the other hand, is not silly at all, and is doing wonderful work, and yes, she's a true hero.
Interesting idea, asking about people in the news.
I really don't watch the Olympics, so I'm not sure I'm qualified to comment. However, Canzano makes some interesting points. We're often seen as bullies, for various reasons, some of which are valid. We treat our Olympic contenders as "special" and so does China. Where does that leave the countries who have very talented individuals, but not the money or rationale to provide them special treatment and training? How fair does that make the competition?
Hi Pat
Actually I think we all agree with you. The US spends to much money on the Olympics and not enough on feeding the poor. Yes we win and are the best competitor in the world but is it worth the funds we spend to be so hated.
Sr Teresa Fitzgeral does good work and is the type of person that makes this world a good place to live.
I just have to find news figures that nobody has heard of and that may be difficult, which is why I didn't promise anything.
Bill
Hi DR
It is an election year, everyone is qualified to comment on anything and your comments are always pretty insightful.
I wonder two things, how fair is the competition as does us being seen as bullies in the Olympics translate to us being seen as bullies in other areas such as the military.
Bill
, for various reasons, some of which are valid. We treat our Olympic contenders as "special" and so does China. Where does that leave the countries who have very talented individuals, but not the money or rationale to provide them special treatment and training? How fair does that make the competition?
Interesting article about the Olympics. I've only seen some of the BBC coverage and it's very partisan - it there's a Brit running we're all rooting for THEM and no-one else counts ;-). I think the general perception in the UK is that China, USA and in some sports Russia, dominate because in different ways money is pumped into athletes and programmes. So, in the UK, where that doesn't happen, we are truly celebrating coming third which in a way to us is coming first if you discount the "Superpowers"! LOL!! And him saying how the BBC are calculating things - apparently when the Olympics are in Europe that's how they are calculated, when in the USA they are calculated differently. NO idea who decides what - maybe the host country? Personally I'm celebrating the many individual stories of athletes overcoming many trials and tribulations to compete and win a medal. Obviously our own British coverage focuses on *our* folk, though we *are* aware of other stories too.... Last night for example there was quite a bit about the USA diver who beat the Chinese world champion into silver place, and our young Brit into Bronze. But he was hailed as a gold medal winner etc... Incidentally - Mo Farrah, our double gold medal winner moved to ORegon temporarily as that's where the best trainer was. Thanks for that Bill. LOL!!
Hi Sian
It is good to see you here.
A lot of the track participants train in Eugene, Oregon. It is considered the track capital of the world. University of Oregon is there and have the top notch facilities and coaches. Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman co-founders of Nike went to U of O and pump a lot of funds into the facilities. Bowerman has since passed away but used to coach there also. And one of the greatest distance runners of all time Steve Prefontaine (sp) went there. It is also where the US Olympic trials are held. Farah and Gordon Rupp trained together.
I think Canzano's points was that we pumped money into the sport and that is what made the others perceive us as bullies.
You ought to email him and tell the dude that is just how things are done in Europe and no offense was meant!
Bill
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