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To top it all, being hosted in an arena which is as old as time itself, one cannot but help notice that Olympics has indeed come home. The Greeks have done their part by reliving history by hosting some events in the original stadium, bringing action to a field after almost 2600 years. I stayed up late last night to catch the live telecast of the women’s shot put. Unfortunately the female athletes were not competing in the nude, as in the ancient Games. Some commentator later reminded me that this was 2004 anno Domini and now women had the right to choose what they wear (damn the Suffrage movement…err just joking, ladies). The fact that shot put was never played in ancient Greece did not diminish the sense of going back in time. Actually the discus and javelin thrown by modern athletes would land outside the stadium. Additionally, the marathon will be run along the original route; hopefully the winner will not collapse to his death.
History apart, has anyone watching the NBC telecast, noticed how when an American athlete or team wins any event, it is dubbed as “the race of the century”? I don’t mean to undermine the efforts of great athletes like Phelps, Couglin, Hansen, Hamm or the so-called Dream Team but the American media is trying extra hard in touting American athletes as supreme. Praise for athletes from other countries comes grudgingly slow. A shock defeat is covered up by trying to portray winners like Katijima as cheats. The fact that he did win the other race (without screams) and managed to stick it to the Americans didn’t go quite well. I would also like to see the media’s reaction if a Korean or Russian gymnast had stumbled big-time on the vault dismount and yet come back to win the gold (Hamm, for the record staged a comeback in the truest meaning of the word). Sometimes I see myself cheering for other teams just because NBC commentators make me mad with all their exaggerated and senseless rhetoric. Basketball’s pathetic display is the only exception that the media cannot find any explanation for. But at least they have the medals to show for all that hype.
I am refraining myself from chastising India’s medal run but the latest dope scandal just pushes me over the edge. Imagine, even with performance-enhancing drugs, Chanu finishes without a medal in weightlifting. Malleshwari, the sole medal winner from Sydney withdraws from the event sparking off rumors. All the Indian pride that was puffed up after that Rathore silver was snuffed out by drug allegations. Thankfully, we have no medals to be stripped off and I am wondering if that is a thing to be proud of. Lee-Hesh (stupid nickname that) were promptly knocked out in the semi-finals so now at best we can pray for a mundane bronze. As Parag points out, no matter how far Anju jumps, we can aim for only one more medal and it better be gold. PriceWaterhouseCoopers had not met Indian sports officials when they predicted that highly optimistic ten medals for India. India Shining???
Hrrrmph! I better get a Mallu massage from a Debo-Nair now if I want to write something “uplifting” next time.
PS. No clutter this week…if anyone has some thoughts floating around, email me. I will be glad to post it for you…anonymously
by Patrix | on Thursday, August 19th, 2004 at 11:14 pm | 
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August 20th, 2004 at 2:22 am reply
*looking ominous* I hope you were only referring to Hesh as the ’stupid nickname’.
Nice update. I’ve been catching too little of the action. Btw, it’s Anno Domini.
August 20th, 2004 at 8:12 am reply
Leela - Apologies if I treaded too far on your adoration :) and yup, thanks for AD…corrections made.
August 20th, 2004 at 9:43 am reply
And here I was thinking you are finally going to take a break from olympics when you said you were going to mention me…jeez! i shud have known. and hey! I wasnt complaining.. I even appointed you as our Blog Olympic correspondent. Good going Pats.
Leave upligting posts to me.
August 20th, 2004 at 10:10 am reply
Yeah, the lack of sportive spirit on the part of the NBC commentators is glaring…Peirsol’s was one such incident where they really pushed it…I mean Peirsol had a reason to make a big deal out of it. He didn’t. So, what’s with these commentators?!…And on the Indian withdrawls…no comments…just like the officials :D
August 20th, 2004 at 10:48 am reply
Alpha - And you thought I was gonna write you a ode or something like that. Maybe if can do some synchronized dives with me, I can think about it. But thanks for appointing me as the Desi Blog Olympic Correspondent..I promise to return without medals.
Spaceman - Yup. talks of his almost-disqualification being politically motivated..what BS? but glad that the athletes are far removed from it.