A little kindness goes a long way at Olympics

Daily Herald ^ | Saturday, February 16 2002 | Tad Walch

[JulieRNR21]

What a wonderful example of the 'true Olympic spirit'. I think those players will always remember the kindnesses of Americans who gave them such great souvenirs and acknowledged their achievement in competing in their sport.

[andysandmikesmom]

Thanks...

[andysandmikesmom]

After I had posted my reply, I remembered about Eddie....didnt they call him Eddie the Eagle? He was wonderful, with his great spirit, and he actually developped a great following , simply because he was so enthusiastic about participating...didnt he also actually have very poor vision, and had to wear very thick glasses? Was his sport ski jumping? What a guy he was....

[Publius6961]

BUMP

[Nan48]

This story makes me proud to be a resident of Provo. There are so many good people here with hearts of gold. BTW, I used to work for Roger Utley at the BYU Bookstore 30+ years ago. I remember when he was first hired. Glad the BYU Bookstore could help the team out, too.

[JamesWilson]

I'm 25% Scotch

Congratulations, sounds like your night's off to an early start.

[Great Dane]

#66....... I think you have a lot of competition for that title. :-}

[Great Dane]

#93...... Yes, it was Eddie the Eagle, some people said he had no business in the Olympics, I say he was the best his country had, and he had every right to be there.
As I remember, he was on his own with lodging and food, he too got help from a lot of kind souls.
The ski jumper Eddie the Eagle will be remembered with fondness by lots of folks.

[UnsinkableMollyBrown]

bttt

[L.N. Smithee]

Two of my closest female friends are from Kazakhstan, and I have been told of the poverty that those girls will have to return to.

It must have been a moral victory to the Kazakhs as a group to lose to the Russians by only three goals, and to Trunova personally to have a 48-save game even in a loss. That girl his guts -- as well as beautiful eyes.

I wonder if the folks at the LA Times would be interested in this story, since it shows what kindness people from Utah are capable of in-between popping happy pills. </sarcasm>

[ladyinred]

How wonderful!
We are a nation of givers when an opportunity presents itself.
Bravo to the kind souls who showed such a spirit of love to those who were less fortunate then themselves!
Does my heart good to read such stories, thanks!

[Crowcreek]

Wish I had a bottle of Bushmills or Johnny Walker in the cupboard --I haven't had any Scotch in a coon's age!

"The more Scotch I am, th' bedder I drive !!" ;^P

[JamesWilson]

Wish I had a bottle of Bushmills or Johnny Walker in the cupboard --I haven't had any Scotch in a coon's age!

"The more Scotch I am, th' bedder I drive !!" ;^P

Maybe you should just whip up a batch of Glen Crowcreek.

[mrustow]

American (not Olympic) spirit! You got that right, brother!

[mrustow]

Thanks for the post and the ping!

[VOA]

American (not Olympic) spirit!

I guess I'm just a bit cynical after the pairs figure-skating bru-ha-ha and
then seeing the segment last night on Sixty Minutes in about the "gifts"
(BRIBES) that it takes to land a spot as an Olympic venue.
(I'm not standing in judgement of the fine folks in Salt Lake City for
doing what they had to do...I hold all the Eurotrash and African brigands of the
"Olympic Movement" responsible for this Bravo Sierra.)

While I identified the good, unscripted kindness of the folks in Utah to the
Kazakhstan (sp?) team, I'd rather call it an outpouring of American Spirit, or just
plain old good human kindness.
Associating these random acts of kindness with the trademark of "Olympic" is
tantamount to slander/libel these days.

[mrustow]

Funny, now that you mention it, and the WAY you mention it, the international Olympic thieves look an awful lot like the good folks at the U.N. Makes me wonder if any of them are related.

[Ronin]

Ditto

I think that every cynic is susceptible to schmaltz in it's pure form.

And yes, I had to reach for a tissue as well.

[rbmillerjr]

Great to hear a great story like this. I have a mirror story that happened regarding some Kids from Ukraine.

About 3-4 years after the break up of Soviet Union. In a boys hockey tournament (several age groups from 9-14) at Piney Orchard Ice Arena (practice facility for Washington Capitals) ...the Ukraine kids ...came in. Initially, it was USA chants. But the chants stopped for 2 reasons: 1)They didnt have uniforms, they had a medley of tattered multi colored unis nor did they have proper safety equipment 2) the first round game where they defeated one of our teams 14-3 displayed jaw dropping skating and passing ability.

After the 4th day and Championship Round of the tourney, which they won 8-1...when the Ukrainian kids went to the lockerroom, they were greeted with bueautiful new color authentic "Ukrania" uniforms and proper safety equipment. It cost alof of money but it was worth it. Those young boys had big smiles on their faces and their coaches tears (along with many in the stands). they adorned the winners circle looking like proud kids. It was our "olympic" moment.