The Olympics are over and too many of us didn't watch. It was compelling and dramatic. Most of all it was fun and about the athletes and teams. A number of people in the last few weeks proved that being true to yourself mattered most. I am going to list 5 people who truly emboy this and why I believe this. I am also going to list the people who embody the anti-truth and give a little commentary about them too.
- Allen Iverson: Say what you want about Allen, but he went down with the ship and didn't complain one bit. AI was one of the most consistent players on the court and was not afraid to be the public face of a team that underachievers. If everyone of the US Mens Basketball team took it as seriously as AI did there would have been no doubt we would have won a gold medal. AI loves to play basketball and he loves his country. Almost brings a tear to my eye.
- Paul Hamm: Paul may look a little creepy but that doesn't matter one bit. Paul won the gold and although there was mistakes he preservered. The judges screwed up and he was willing to share his gold although it was his right not to. Then the FIG had the audacity to ask for it back and Paul said no. No one could take his accomplishment away. I say good for him. I am sorry a mistake was made, but life goes on and Paul deserved better than bad treatment by the FIG.
- Vanderlei de Lima: Holy Crap!! This guy was attacked while running the marathon and still won the bronze medal. On top of that he didn't bitch or complain, but rather he ran around the Olympic Field with a smile on his face and the Brazilian flag in his hand. Screw what happened to him he still was going to be happy. You almost cannot beat that as the performance of the Olympics.
- Svetlana Khorkina: This Russian Gymnast lost again and despite being happy she got a bronze she looked pissed. Now that takes guts! I applaud her from not keeping her emotion in check. I think she was more upset at herself than anything. You go girl. We need more people like you in a sport with way too many happy people.
- Ala'a Jassim: Leave it to George W. Bush to piss me off with this girl. Iraqi sprinter who finished 52 out of 63 runners, was being championed by GWB as a symbol of democracy. Did he ask her if that was okay. No. She just wanted to run. She wanted to represent her country that almost never allows women to compete. YOU GO GIRL AND F#$& GWB for trying to use you. You said it best. "I represent not only all Iraqi women, but all Iraqi people."
- Marion Jones: Karma kind of killed you here. Pressure of taking drugs got to you. You might be upset, but Cheaters will always get theirs in the end and you got yours a little early.
- Cornelius Horan: Now I don't even want to give his name because that means he counts as a person. Don't interrupt the Olympics. Taking down a marathoner. Come on!!! Why didn't you jump into the Boxing Ring. Now that would have been interesting. You can protest sports and even interrupt games, but not the Olympics. Once every four years not like anything else in the world. Freaking idiot. (though he was true to himself, but still)
- The Balco Guys: These might be the two most evil people in sports taking over for George Steinbrenner. They have ruined more peoples dreams and lives than I can count. They made doping a new art form and when they got caught they sold everyone down the river. Nice guys. You will get yours.
- Most of the US Mens Basketball Team: Enough has been said, but they need to be on this list.
1 comment:
I hear you on Marion Jones, but it should be said that she acted admirably after the bad baton pass in her relay. Instead of being pissed, she displayed true leadership and stood by her teammate. Absolutely does not make up for her past, but in that moment she should be praised.
Oh and on GWB. How dare he take any credit for this young women's success, unless it is with the excellent training she must have gotten from running from incoming arsenal that he was throwing in her direction. Anybody but Bush in 2004.
Ian
Post a Comment