Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Let the Games Begin-London, 2012
They passed around
the Olympic Torch at Wimbledon last weekend.
It has circulated the British Isles , in
anticipation of the opening of the Games. The Opening Ceremonies will be shown
on our television screens this Friday night, beginning at 7:30pm, and will be
watched by billions of people around the globe.
Prior to the ancient
games held in Greece London
Despite the best
efforts of the authorities over the years, from founding father Pierre de Coubertin
to the present director of the Games, Jacques Rogge, the Games remain an
important political event for all concerned. Sadly. No matter what surface you
scratch, there will be political undertones at these Olympic Games.
When you win your
gold medal, you get to take the podium. You receive your medal, then stand
proudly as you listen to your national anthem, and watch your nation’s flag
rising to the top of the flag pole. Over the years there have been dozens of
Olympic skirmishes about flags. Sadly.
The city of London Tower Bridge
over the Thames . Londoners with money, and any
sense at all have headed to the country. Streets are already crowded, even the
weather is heating up. Yesterday, it was plus thirty degrees Celsius in the
city!
Ticket holders have
been warned to get to their sites two hours before the events. They are also
cautioned in the literature to be prepared to wait for the tube on their way
home. Mind the Gap.
There are events
scheduled throughout the country. The Canadian women’s soccer team plays its
first few games in Coventry
Brits are on a bit of
an emotional high today because one of their own, Bradley Higgins, won the Tour
de France bicycle race last weekend in Paris
Over the years, the
Games have increased in size. This year, there are 164 countries sending
athletes, observers, trainers, coaches, and others to the Games. There are 36
sports represented at the games. It has grown to a monstrous size, and it is
time to put the brakes on the entire undertaking.
At my Olympic Games,
there is no synchronized swimming. There are no horses, there is no shooting.
There are no events that are judged so poorly that results are thrown out after
the event. There is no rhythmic gymnastics.
For those of you who
read this column, occasionally, you know I love sports. This may surprise you:
I am going to eliminate basketball from the Games. Soccer, volleyball, golf,
bicycle riding, and even ice hockey at the Winter Olympics! The main reason is
because I want to downsize the Games, and the events I have listed, and others
as well, have their own world championships
that are more important than the Games.
Let’s keep it simple.
Run, jump, throw. Maybe a little action in the pool. Let the Games begin!
July 14, 2012
Sportslices.blogspot.com
James Hurst
# posted by James Hurst @ 9:08 AM 
