LOL, like Lindsey Vonn....
Posted on 07/27/2021 6:34:48 AM PDT by Kaslin
Can you imagine what would happen to an Olympic athlete from China or North Korea if he or she decided to protest their national flag at a medal ceremony? That would likely be the last thing that person did as a free human being. That’s another reason why I appreciate the freedoms we have here in America. At the same time, that doesn’t mean that I have to like such protests at the Olympics. In point of fact, I don’t.
That’s part of my freedom as an American, too. I can dislike such protests and I can say so openly.
The fact is, the Olympics are the only sports event that can truly be called international, even more so than the World Cup in soccer (or, as the rest of the world calls it, football). That’s because every nation can send athletes to compete, and more nations are represented in the Olympics than in any other sporting games.
And, in contrast with, say, the World Cup in soccer where the poorer teams are quickly eliminated, in the Olympics, even the smallest country might take home a medal, even if it’s a bronze medal.
To this day, in countries like Israel, which are not known for sports, a single medal is a cause for celebration. And when the medal is won, the headlines announce, “Israel wins a silver medal!” Or, “Tunisia takes gold!” The athletes name is a subheading to the story. It is the country’s victory that is announced.
Even the US women’s basketball players, well-known for not coming onto the basketball court during the playing of the national anthem during their regular WNBA season, have decided to stay on the floor during the anthem.
As explained by four-time Olympic medalist Sue Bird, “You are wearing USA jerseys and it does change the conversation a little bit and what you’re representing. With that, I don’t feel like a hypocrite in any way. Everyone knows where we stand. I don’t think it contradicts anything since we’re actually doing the work.”
Again, just look at the Medal Tracker on your favorite sports site during and after the Olympics. What do you see? Today, as I write, it reads, “Total Medals by Country: China, 18; USA 14; Japan, 13.” Then, the specifics: “Gold Medals by Country: Japan, 8; USA, 7; China, 6.”
Then the silver medals, then the bronze medals, all listed by country. Not a single athlete is named or mention. This is all about national prowess in sports.
Decades back, during the days of the Soviet Union, the competition with America was not just fierce. It was ideological. Which nation can produce better athletes? Which country has better sports programs? Which way of life is more conducive to athletic excellence?
And when East Germany, so small when compared to the larger countries of the world, began to win a disproportionate number of medals, that, too, was lauded as further testimony to the superiority of communism. At least, until the massive doping scandals were revealed, after which all those accomplishments were drowned in shame.
To this day, though, that sense of competition exists when it comes to China vs the USA. Can our freewheeling, capitalistic, independent system beat their super-structured, at times compulsory system?
These sentiments may not be expressed openly (although I certainly remember hearing them as a boy when it came to America vs. the Soviet Union), but they are there under the surface. (Do you really think such sentiments are not expressed in China, especially at the highest levels? A triumph over America at the Olympics is an ideological triumph too.)
And that’s why, every four years, we put aside our minor quibbles and root for our national team. That’s why, as much as we face up to our own challenges in America, during the games, we’re happy to chant, “USA! USA! USA!”
It becomes more difficult, though, when we’re aware that some of our athletes despise what our flag stands for. Or if we’re wondering what they’ll do if they medal and get to the platform. Should we be proud of their stunning athletic accomplishment or should we cringe?Again, these athletes are free to protest 24/7 in America or wherever they like. That’s part of the beauty of being American. But that doesn’t mean we have to like it.
And so, as much as I appreciate the past gold medals won by the women’s soccer team, I have mixed feelings about them when they play. Will their next victory be the opportunity for them to make a strong lesbian statement, as in a very public kiss with a partner? Or will they send some other kind of political message?
I do appreciate the courage of Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who raised a black fist in protest in the 1968 games in Mexico. And I recognize that this took place just months after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King.
I also recognize that America then was very different than America today. (Indeed, these two men paid dearly for their actions, both in the public square and professionally. In my opinion, the punishment was far too severe.)
And I am hardly one who refrains from criticizing America’s many weaknesses and sins, to this very day.
But there’s a time and a place for everything. And I’m sure I’m not alone in wishing that, for just a few days, we could join together and cheer on our athletes who, in turn, will feel proud to be Americans. Is this too much to ask?
Sorry. But get no joy or feelings of national pride watching these athletes who are woke and who tolerate the woke. These athletes are the epitomy of narcissim and financial self interest. Lebron James should be on the team and its captain. Have become very indifferent to the Olympics.
I see no reason to support athletes to represent a country they openly and publicly despise. They don’t support their nation, they should have the guts to decline to represent us. I call them all money-grubbing hypocrites.
I don’t agree we are free.
See what happens if an athlete protests the 2020 election, critical race theory, or gun restrictions.
I can’t really criticize the silent ones who would be sacrificing lifetime careers to speak out too harshly when conservatives in general have stood by and allowed the left to take over every little thing even when much less was on the line.
You’ll notice that only the patriotic Americans are winning and all the anti-Americans are losing
When you get to that level of athletics you can’t have anything on your mind except for winning and performing
This is true in professional sports and this is also true at the Olympic level
Only athletes with pure hearts who love this nation are going to be able to compete and win for this nation
Notice how that professional athletes who were anti-American are all washed up now?
Notice how the true champions like Tom Brady for example are always quiet humble and patriotic?
In my view many of these athletes are more interested in representing their protests than America. Why represent a country you aren’t proud of representing?
I don't completely agree with every point in this article. Think back to 1968. Smith and Carlos certainly made a point...I guess. Nevertheless, what I remember most was George Foreman waving his American flag. That showed class.
The other two may have paid a price professionally and financially. It wasn't because they lacked talent. It was because they were incapable of manifesting class.
When you have classless people who win at something, what is there to celebrate? Who cares about the successful effort? How classless do you have to be to even want to be seen with them?
In the fictional movie, Rocky Stallone said, "When that bell rings, and I'm still standing, I'll know, for the first time in my life, I wern't just another bum from the neighborhood."
When anyone has a platform to spew hatred for this country, they have every "right" to do so. If he or she went to another country, he or she could hate this country and represent a country that would appreciate that hatred.
When they do it the classless way, the ones who stand or kneel with them are each just another bum from the neighborhood.
I disagree. Simone Biles is suffering from being scored differently because of her excellence, not against her competition. She is a Christian and a patriot. .
My wife and I used to enjoy the Olympics. We gave up on the games before the 2018 winter games in which athletes were beginning to mouth off about Trump. We have now given up on all sports except golf. Sports are no longer an escape.
LOL, like Lindsey Vonn....
Not this year.
I was thrilled when the American women's soccer team lost - and even happier when the men's basketball team lost.
Haven't watched a moment of it - for the first time in my life. It was always a huge event for our family - we watched it all, including minor events.
Not this year.
Quote from the article...
“Again, these athletes are free to protest 24/7 in America or wherever they like.”
No, these protesting athletes are not free. Do you think they would be on the team if they wore “Trump Won” t-shirt as a public display to the press (and to the world)?
Or, ALL LIVES MATTER?
Or, BACK THE BLUE?
How about “Anti-CRT?”
Personally, I don’t want to get lectured by purple haired lesbians. Personally, I am happy to see such people lose their competitions, even if they are on the USA team.
Russia has won gold for is women’s team
https://mobile.twitter.com/JackPosobiec/status/1420021438870851588
“When you get to that level of athletics you can’t have anything on your mind except for winning and performing”
You’d think the athletes would realize that. Guess they’re there to fight a racial or gender battle as well.
America is under occupation.
They may be paid by America but they do not represent America. since they openly hate us.
F’em.
In what way is the Olympics about national prowess?
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