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Thoughts on the Olympics (a quote from Bryant Gumbel)
"Just the Tip" ^ | February 13, 2006 | Todd Christian

Posted on 02/15/2006 5:07:33 AM PST by DennisR

Mr. Gumbel's statement: “Because [the Winter Olympics] are so trying, maybe over the next three weeks we should all try too. Like try not to be incredulous when someone tries to link these games to those of the ancient Greeks who never heard of skating or skiing. So try not to laugh when someone says these are the world’s greatest athletes, despite a paucity of Blacks that makes the Winter Games look like a GOP convention.”


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: bryantgumbel; gumbel; olympics; racism
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To: carumba
In Salt Lake, a member of the U.S. 2-woman bobsled team became the first black athlete to win a gold medal at any winter Olympics. But is it really that surprising that there are so few top black athletes in these sports? So many of them are "money" sports, in that they are very expensive to participate in at all, let alone enough to become world-class. Even team sports like hockey require specialized equipment that isn't always readily available -- at least other "money" sports like golf and tennis are so widespread that there's always a local facility somewhere, and only recently are we starting to see black athletes make inroads into those two sports.
41 posted on 02/15/2006 5:42:21 AM PST by kevkrom ("...no one has ever successfully waged a war against stupidity" - Orson Scott Card)
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To: DennisR
A paucity of Blacks at the Winter Games?

Gee, weren't the ancient Greeks the first ones to field an all-Black Hockey team?

Three cheers for Antoine Federothopolos

42 posted on 02/15/2006 5:44:05 AM PST by N. Theknow (Kennedys - Can't drive, can't fly, can't ski, can't skipper a boat - But they know what's best.)
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To: xp38

I am not a regular on the slopes, but somehow, I don't really think you would see many blacks there. It is simply their choice not to participate in winter sports (with a few exceptions of course).


43 posted on 02/15/2006 5:44:23 AM PST by REPANDPROUDOFIT
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Comment #44 Removed by Moderator

To: DennisR
Reminds me of the black congresswoman who complained of the lack of blacks in the volunteer Red Cross rescuing Katrina victims. Racist to the core.
45 posted on 02/15/2006 5:46:49 AM PST by bk1000 (A clear conscience is a sure sign of a poor memory)
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To: maggief

So, a "sister" wasn't good enough for him?


46 posted on 02/15/2006 5:49:36 AM PST by FormerLib (Kosova: "land stolen from Serbs and given to terrorist killers in a futile attempt to appease them.")
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To: HamiltonJay

I saw the special on the skater, what a flamer! It's a wonder he doesn't leave a path of melted ice behind him when he skates. Did you notice the CCCP letters on his jacket when he was posing. Of course that's all he is, a poser. He should learn that it is impossible to pull off the tough act when you are a male figure skater and wear make-up, not to mention the rhinestone leotard.

I don't mind Bode because at least he is gracious when he loses and doesn't act like it's the end of the world. I was at a youth hockey game and some parents watching their 6-8 year olds could learn from that...


47 posted on 02/15/2006 5:56:51 AM PST by WV Mountain Mama (We may not be here for a long time, but hopefully it will be a good time.)
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To: Clock King
I'm a black man who skis,

So that proves you're republican!!! ;-)

Just trying to respond like Mr G would if you had a conversation with him. ;-)

48 posted on 02/15/2006 6:03:44 AM PST by AgThorn (Bush is my president, but he needs to protect our borders. FIRST, before any talk of "Amnesty.")
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To: CharlesWayneCT
I'm still trying to decide why you need separate men's and women's teams for Curling?

More medals...(and opportunities for everybody involved. Companies get to sell more jackets, bigger rinks(?), etc.)

A one-time coworker said he and some friends got tickets to the 1976 Montreal gala. I think he said they ran in to
Gumbel and another NBC type on a subway train, and he was quite pleasant to talk to.

Maybe he's pandering to get a gig, or a bigger gig on BET?

Perhaps he's really mad that Couric is going to get to be the final nail, um, "anchor" in the coffin of CBS News?

49 posted on 02/15/2006 6:08:29 AM PST by Calvin Locke
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To: DennisR
Mr. Gumbel is a very little man ( in fact, barely a man). I remember the way he used to belittle a real man, Ronald W. Reagan, 40th President of the USA. Enough said!!
50 posted on 02/15/2006 6:09:35 AM PST by wmileo
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To: WV Mountain Mama
I don't mind Bode because at least he is gracious when he loses and doesn't act like it's the end of the world.

I actually like his style -- he goes all-out and risks DQs to try and finish first. It's not like he complains that things are unfair when he gets himself DQed.

51 posted on 02/15/2006 6:14:59 AM PST by kevkrom ("...no one has ever successfully waged a war against stupidity" - Orson Scott Card)
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To: kevkrom

Yeah, I don't think that he is the one pushing for all the media hype. I think the hype is what bugs people the most. You're right, he takes risks and tries his best no matter what. I like that when he loses he keeps it in perspective. I gave my mom a lecture about it the other day. She was complaining about his nonchalant attitude when he got 5th. I played college basketball and my folks were always all over me if THEY didn't think I played well. I politely let her have it. It is a race afterall...


52 posted on 02/15/2006 6:30:52 AM PST by WV Mountain Mama (We may not be here for a long time, but hopefully it will be a good time.)
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To: DennisR

Hahahaha!

I once told to my black sister that when we went skiing, there were no black people.

She said, "Sis, we come from Africa. We don't do snow unless we have to." I laughed so hard!

Bryant needs to understand that black people do the Summer Olympics and dominate.


53 posted on 02/15/2006 6:49:27 AM PST by netmilsmom (To attack one section of Christianity in this day and age, is to waste time.)
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To: WV Mountain Mama

Miller refused to wear the team hat at the opening ceremonies. He should learn that he may be all that but he is also part of the team.

I know many people who were happy that he bombed. That's sad, but true. Americans like their athletes to be humble.

The jerky Ice Skater Weir, who got on NBC last night and told anyone who didn't like him to "Eat Me" was really classy too. Bet him Mom was really proud.


54 posted on 02/15/2006 6:54:28 AM PST by netmilsmom (To attack one section of Christianity in this day and age, is to waste time.)
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To: DennisR

Gumbel is a "professional" racist. Show some respect.


55 posted on 02/15/2006 7:06:42 AM PST by <1/1,000,000th%
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To: WV Mountain Mama

I have no time for anyone who thinks they are "it".. the real folks who are "it" don't need to talk about it... And yes I did notice his CCCP shirt.. basically just another little poofer who needs constant attention from others to validate themselves while trying to pretend they are bad ass and don't need anything.

The great ones don't think they are bigger than the sport, its bad enough the press has to hype the hell out of their chosen atheletes every games.. its intollerable when some of them start to buy into their own press... Bode may be a gracious loser, but he's still an ass.

So far most of the presses golden children have been washing out.. the short track skater, (he at least seems to not be a jerk, and is mostly press created around him) Bode, the poofer.... So far the only one that's lived up to the hype the press puts around them in performing has been the snowboarder, and while he is young he does seem at least to handle it better than a lot of em..

The press is just as much to blame as the idiots themselves... they make some stupid statement, and instead of being ignored as moronic, the press plays it up as they are some major rebel or trouble maker.. so now they are getting press while their peers who are better than them on the slopes or ice don't... so what do they do? More of it... and the press hypes them even more... and they wind up with endorcements and contracts mostly because they act like jackasses in front of the camera.

Sorry, but color me unimpressed with the batch of hype the press is trying to shove down the american publics throat. Real players say it on the court, field, slope, ice... they don't need to flap their gums in front of cameras.


56 posted on 02/15/2006 7:21:19 AM PST by HamiltonJay
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To: DennisR
Bryant's just keepin' it real!
57 posted on 02/15/2006 8:19:43 AM PST by jjmcgo
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To: DennisR
You know, I did not loathe Gumbel when he stuck to sports. Looks like I'll have to detest the twerp all the time now.
58 posted on 02/15/2006 9:28:27 AM PST by JAWs (Ytringsfrihed er ytringsfrihed er ytringsfrihed. Der er intet men.)
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To: Mayflower Sister

Oh, it's real. I saw him say it on his HBO program -- which despite Mr. Gumbel is a pretty good program.


59 posted on 02/15/2006 11:32:05 AM PST by Tallguy (When it's a bet between reality and delusion, bet on reality -- Mark Steyn)
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To: CharlesWayneCT
So Bryant is saying that blacks are the worlds greatest athletes,that whites simply can't compete with blacks in athletics, and that if you aren't black, you can't be the worlds greatest athlete.

Remember what happened to Jimmy the Greek Snyder and the GM of the LA Dodgers when they suggested something similar? Apparently the contention that Blacks are athletically superior is like the "N-word" -- it's ok when delivered by Blacks; a firing offense if said by a White.

60 posted on 02/15/2006 11:34:57 AM PST by Tallguy (When it's a bet between reality and delusion, bet on reality -- Mark Steyn)
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