Posted on 08/28/2004 5:16:27 PM PDT by Hildy
America's biggest Olympic hero yesterday accused George Bush of exploiting the Athens Games for his own political advantage in the run-up to the presidential election. Carl Lewis, who won nine Olympic gold medals in athletics in a record-breaking career, condemned Bush for using the presence of Iraqi and Afghan teams in Athens in a television advertisement to boost his chances of re-election.
Criticising Bush for linking his foreign policy with the two countries being allowed to compete here, Lewis said: 'I felt that was disingenuous. It is funny that we boycotted the 1980 Games [in Moscow] in support of Afghanistan, and now we're bombing Afghanistan,' he told the Athens News yesterday.
'Of course, we've invaded Iraq and are in there and are using it for political gain. It bewilders me, and I understand why the Iraqi players are offended.
'To support the players or the community is fine, but for political gain I disagree.'
Iraq's footballers, who unexpectedly reached the semi-finals here, made clear last week they disliked the advertisement and regarded American soldiers in Iraq as occupiers rather than liberators. Bush was planning to visit the Greek capital and attend yesterday's football final if Iraq had been involved, but they lost in the semi-finals last week. He was also criti cised for misusing without permission Olympic symbols, which are protected emblems.
sorry I meant presence! Fast and furious typing
Why is this a story at all? Queers are pretty much solid against President Bush
Carl is NOT a hero. He is an athlete. Jason Dunham, Neil Roberts, Pat Tillman are heroes.
Too much sugar in the booty has rotted his brain! BTW its Bushs fault he was born black and gay!
Yes. Definitely. Factual. Spitz is a priss.
Amazing.
Simply amazing.
He has no memory of the twin towers falling, our Pentagon being hit, or a brave group of men that crashed a plane in a field to prevent greater tragedy.
I would correct the statement he is in anyway a "hero". He won Olympic Gold. That is not an act of heroism. Heroism is rushing into a building that could topple at any moment to rescue innocent lives. Heroism is sacrificing wealth & security to confront men that worship Death over Life in a battlefield. Heroism is enduring threat to life and prestige to keep this country secure even in the midst of ingratitude and hate. Our firemen/women and policemen/women were and ARE heros. Our soldiers ARE heros. And, yes, our President, George W. Bush, is a Hero.
Carl is NO Hero.
my question? who the he!! ever said carl lewis is our biggest olympic hero? he's certainly not mine!!
As far as I know, Spitz is married with two kids.
Can you say McGreevy?
Where are you getting your info?
Isn't Carl Lewis a flaming GAY??? Nuf said...the lefties can have him.
What I don't get is how President Bush is exploiting the Athenian Olympics. Is there are political ad or comment that sparked the criticism? Sorry. I'm TVless.
Where are you getting yours? :o)
Well there goes the African-American-Gay vote.
/s
I wondered who would be the first to "see" that!
LOL
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