Team U.S.A

Well, I have to admit that I officially have Winter Olympic fever. My roommate and I have been taping the Olympics via dvr everyday. Our recordings list has been taken over by Olympic programming. The bizarre thing is that I originally started taping the Olympics to keep up with the figure skating. However, I find myself watching just about any event cheering on team U.S.A (I mean who would have thought that snowboarding could be such a riveting sport). In the past, I wouldn't have given the Winter Olympics a second glance, but I am now anxious to get home to see check out the medal count. While I am prattling on about the Olympics, I must commend Vancouver on their excellent opening ceremonies. I was telling my friends that Vancouver's opening ceremony was the visual equivalent to China's technical masterpiece in August 2008. I also would be remiss if I didn't admonish the Vancouver Olympic officials for their poor handling of the luge incident. It appears to me (and anyone else with half a brain) that there was a design flaw in the track that caused the unfortunate death of the Georgian athlete (Nodar Kumaritashvili). The International Luge Federation (ILF) claimed the accident was due to athlete error yet made several changes to the track including lowering the men's start. At the end of the day, blaming the victim was in poor taste and beneath Vancouver Olympic officials and the ILF.

Moving on, I couldn't quite understand why I and millions of other Americans (the Winter Olympics is enjoying some of it's highest ratings ever) are so inexplicably drawn to these particular games. On the surface, it could be something as simple as the Olympic games are being held close to home (Vancouver is a stone's throw away from the U.S). However, as I pondered this interesting phenomenon, I began to wonder if the Olympics offer most Americans a break from the constant divisiveness that seems to plague our nation. When we watch the Olympics, we get to cheer for team U.S.A. We aren't cheering for a particular team from a certain state, or a political party, or a community, or a church or charitable organization. We collectively are pulling for our team representing the stars and stripes to bring home the gold. It is a refreshing change of pace from the continuous bickering that we see happening in Washington and around the country.

The Olympics are also a wonderful reminder that dreams do come true. As I watch the various athletes participating in the games fulfill their Olympic dreams, it gives me a little more hope that the problems that currently plague America can and will be fixed (I say this at the risk of sounding extremely bubble gum, sugar pop. Gag me now!). I am a die hard political junkie, and I enjoy the political differences and nuances that can make American politics so exciting. However, at the end of the day, I want to see our government getting things done so that my fellow citizens don't have to suffer from poor or no healthcare, lack of educational resources, unemployment, foreclosures, fear of terrorism, etc. Our politicians could learn something from the Olympics. Friendly competition is fine and fun to watch, but it is really the accomplishment at the end which can make all the difference in the world. Therefore, if making America better is the ultimate "gold", why are there members of Congress fighting so hard to keep "team U.S.A" off the podium?

A for Effort

And the 2020 Olympics goes to the city of....... Rio de Janeiro? As I was on the shuttle headed to my office last week, I engaged in an interesting debate about the fate of the 2020 Olympics. There were riders who absolutely knew that Chicago was going to win it's bid for the 2020 Olympics. After all, it's ideal location along Lake Michigan, star power (I mean Oprah is known just about everywhere and let us not forget our esteemed president Barack Obama), and it's well known reputation for being a town run by gangsters (I'm sure there are some greasy palms somewhere connected to this Chicago bid. I mean after all Chicago can't be shown up by Utah when it comes to the bribery game.) There was the other group on the bus who were staunchly in the Madrid corner. It seemed absolutely ludicrous to them that the Olympics would ever go to Rio or Chicago (there is nothing but thugs in these places for pete's sake which is code word for....). At the end of the day I and one other woman were the only people who believed that Rio was definitely going to be the city. I suppose the fact that the Olympics have NEVER been held in South America before doesn't resonate with people. The fact that Brazil is a part of a handful of countries that could actually put on a half way decent opening ceremony (No one will ever show up China, but can we get a country that at least has great costumes?) doesn't make a difference to some people. Most importantly, the opportunity for jobs that the Olympics brings to a country teeming with poor people just doesn't pull at the old heart strings.

Now, don't get me wrong, putting on the Olympics isn't a cheap task. It will require huge sums of money, and it has been known to back fire on cities before (I adore Montreal, but they were broker than a joke after hosting the Olympics). However, it seems to me this is a gamble that a city has to take. It is the same gamble that President Obama decided he had to take in order to help Chicago. There is no telling how many jobs may have been created by the Olympics coming to Chicago. I am tired of hearing people say it was a mistake for President Obama to go to Copenhagen to make the case for the United States. Although he had other pressing matters, he had to try for every person who is jobless, furloughed, or facing a potential job loss in this country. Now, Brazil gets it's chance to help it's citizens, and we should be glad to see that for once the underdog finished first. It seems to me that we talk a good game about wanting to see change in this country and the world, but it is just that.... talk. On the shuttle last week, I said to everyone sitting there that Brazil getting the Olympics could be their "change" moment (who would ever believe that a nation with so many impoverished people would be allowed to host such a prestigious global event). Moments like winning the Olympics for the first time in your continent's history or electing the first black president in a country's history are inspirational for many. These "moments" remind us that there is always something better waiting around the corner if we just exercise a little patience and a whole lot of prayer, devotion, and meditation. Therefore, although Chicago lost it's bid for the Olympics, I still give President Obama and his lovely wife Michelle (who we all know is the real brains behind this operation, lol) an A for effort.