Olympic Update Week 1

A week ago, the torch was lit and the games began. Since then, the American media has treated viewers to more "Up Close and Personal" feature faux news than should ever be broadcast. At the same time, they have occasionally managed to report a score or show a race. Of course, it helps to have the full satellite or cable package so one can jump from one NBC network to another to see everything. Thus far, a few stories standout.

American gymnast Paul Hamm pulled an individual gold out of nowhere. After a rather appalling vault, which included a full bottom-plant, Mr. Hamm need a very high score (9.825) to tie for the gold. He got a 9.837, winning by .012. Silver medalist Kim Dae-eun of South Korea said he was disappointed and angry. Ioan Suciu of Romania, who got fourth, said "The only thing I can say is that the USA got something more than it deserved." Perseverance or the fix, either way, it was a close one that will be talked about for years.

Iraq's soccer team, which has trouble practicing at home due to war and other inconveniences, finished the preliminary round with a 2-1 record, good enough to take the top spot in their group. A new Bush-Cheney ad says, "At this Olympics there will be two more free nations -- and two fewer terrorist regimes." Needless to say, the Iraqi team wasn't consulted. Goal scorer Salih Sadir (who plays for a pro side in Najaf) said, "Iraq as a team does not want Mr. Bush to use us for the presidential campaign. He can find another way to advertise himself." Ahmed Manajid, a midfielder asked, "How will he meet his god having slaughtered so many men and women? He has committed so many crimes."

Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou, a pair of Greek sprinters, have withdrawn under a cloud that might be drugs/doping but has been explained by them as a motorcycle accident. Is the home team getting unduly harsh treatment? Or did these two simply not know enough to shut up when they had been caught. This story will fester for some time to come.

Swimmer Michael Phelps' attempt to best Mark Spitz's record of seven golds at a single Olympics fell apart early on. Sad that he won't get a $1 million check from the good people at Speedo for the new record. Still, he's going to walk away with more than his share, so any whining from his supporters requires should be taken with industrial sized doses of sodium chloride.


© Copyright 2004 by The Kensington Review, J. Myhre, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent.


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