Most of the athletes are fighting back emotions and probably cannot even remember the words not to mention it is one of the hardest songs to sing ever.
A lot of people don’t sing the National Anthem at our football games either and the words are on the screen. Our singers are good and people don’t bother trying to sing but if you play God Bless America you will hear people singing all around.
Why don’t some of the ones on here try standing on a stage after just winning a gold medal they have worked all their life for and try to get the words of this song to come in their mind. As the athletes have been interviewed, all talk about what was going through their mind at the time and it involved their family, training, etc.
People need to cut these athletes some slack whether they put their hand over their heart or don’t sing or don’t look up because they are emotional and this is an event that comes along usually once in a lifetime for most.
I do sing fairly well and have no problem with the national anthem. I do know from experience, that it is very difficult to sing in a situation which could bring you to tears. I had to sing at a couple of funerals. I had to totally divorce myself from the emotions of the event or I wouldn’t have made it through the pieces I was asked to sing.
I agree. Athletes are NOT supposed to sing the anthem but WIN THE GOLD. that’s the objective.
Of course it helps to do it correctly. The goal is to thrash other countries in the medal count and leave Vancouver the top dog. As long as they win for America, I’m content.
Megadittos!
It doesn't have to be. The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra opens their season every year with the full orchestra playing and the audience standing and singing the National Anthem. They adjust the key downwards so that everyone can reach those high notes. Any band, orchestra, or organist can and should do the same.
I am accustomed to dropping out on the highest notes, but I could sing the whole thing at the MSO. And I did. And so did everyoen else. You should have heard them at the first concert after 9/11. Very emotional.
I totally agree with you. Cut these athletes some slack.
As for Shaun White, I’ve met the kid, a few times. We used to watch him ride in Big Bear, just stunned and impressed with this kid who was so much better than we were. I can’t explain what he was thinking while he was on the podium but he’s a good guy. He’s so driven, fun-loving, and positive...and a perfectionist. He was immensely proud and humbled to represent the US in Torino in 2006 and I can only imagine he’s equally as proud and humbled to be in Vancouver. He had an incredible amount of pressure on him this time around to win it all. The national identity of snowboarding rests on the shoulders of this 23 year old, a responsibility he’s had for a few years now. Maybe we can cut him a little tiny bit of slack for enjoying himself and just being Shaun on the podium.