"Olympics lalapalooza" by Mad Man | The Pilot: Southern Pines, NC

Olympics lalapalooza

Blog: Mad Man

August 6, 2012

I think it's curious how every four years the world pauses for a couple of weeks to pay rapt attention to a litany of sports that most people never give a second though for 3.989 years. Then, suddenly every sport is of world wide importance, except baseball and golf.

Are the Olympic sports more compelling simply because they are all crammed together in a two week orgy of competition? That's not a bad thing, but why else would one ever sit in front of a t.v. and watch race walking any other time? Or be covered by goose bumps from the drama of heavy weight lifting by people you've never heard of? How does one get into fencing to begin with, for pete's sake?

The drama is certainly heightened by the fact that we're all in there together, virtually every nation, putting our differences aside, competing without bloodshed. Maybe the Olympics are most valuable for giving us hope, and that can't be anything but a positive these days.

debsalomon 9 months, 2 weeks ago

Competing without bloodshed....let's hope so, while remembering Munich and Atlanta. I lived in MOntreal leading up to and during the 1976 Olympics. Believe me, all is not as pictured on TV. Neverthless, an inspiring event.

Courseaire 9 months, 2 weeks ago

Since they allowed Professionals to participate in some of the Team sports (Hockey, Basketball & Baseball, Soccer) as well as the individual sports (Tennis), I'm not so much interested in those any longer. I personally like to watch the unknown amateurs competing The all time best was the 1980 US Hockey Team win!! Each of those Professional sports already have their World Championships and really need not be in the Olympics. And please - No Golf!!

RD28327 9 months, 2 weeks ago

They should have never dropped baseball and softball, and I still remember the US baseball team not making it to the Olympics in 2004. No baseball and softball in Rio in 2016, but golf will be making its return for the first time since 1904. Maybe softball and baseball in 2020? Still, it's always interesting to see how the best of the US fares against the rest of the world.

getreal 9 months ago

It was a nice diversion from the political circus. Except for the dancing horse controversy, politics had no mention. It was great to watch those so dedicated to their chosen sport perform. I don't think anyone could watch our athletes and not feel a sense of pride. If I had any doubts the British were a bit wonky, they were confirmed 10 fold! The before and after ceremonies were way out there and entertaining. I haven't really thought about the huge influence the music of England had on our own music across the big pond, brought back a lot of memories. Congrats to all of our athletes, win or lose!