Sochi Olympics

After years of anticipation, the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games are off and running – or should I say skating and slaloming? I snuggled up to watch the opening ceremony, but somewhere between the entrance of the US delegation and the Russians, I was off to dreamland. So I’ve had to depend on Facebook to fill me in on the rest of the evening. How did we ever have the Olympic without Facebook? The commentary is much better than the talking heads on television.

First reaction? What’s with the American sweaters? My friend got it right: “Uh, I think we won the Patriotic ugly sweater contest – thanks, Ralph Lauren.” Stylish or not, I was relieved to know they were “made in the USA,” one of my dad’s mantras. The sweaters themselves are a patchwork of American craftsmanship — of wool carded from Oregon, spun in Pennsylvania and North Carolina, and knit in California. Here’s the best news – if you are an Olympics groupie, you can get your own for just $595.00

As in many modern day Olympics, the opening ceremony did seem a bit over the top. The overview of the complex history of Russia and its amazing cultural contributions was eye-opening, but, like another Facebook friend noted, “I didn’t get the dancing marshmallows.” I’ve had that feeling before, as when viewing some contemporary art or listening to opera. Am I the only one who doesn’t get it, or do others just pretend they do?

I felt bad for the Olympic orphans walking without a flag. Apparently India was suspended from the Olympics due to alleged corruption, and its three athletes had to enter under the Olympic banner. I love what shooter Mansher Singh had to say about his orphan status: “When you see your flag in the opening ceremony, you feel like a warrior for your country . . . It's a great feeling and you kind of swear in your chest." I wonder if that’s a guy thing? Fortunately, that controversy has been resolved, so while India may not achieve gold in Sochi, at least their athletes will be able to swear in their chests at the closing ceremony.

There have been concerns expressed over the possibility of terrorism at the games, a very real threat in our contemporary world on such a world stage. One Facebooker commented: “I'm afraid the terrorists they've been warning about made it into the stadium and have taken over the sound system. The music they are playing during the Parade of Nations could qualify as torture.” See my comment on marshmallows and opera above.

The Russian venue has had some logistical difficulties, and while the athletes’ villages are said to be good, there have been some housing issues for the press and other guests. My West Coast friend said it best: “I’m totally over the complaints about accommodation conditions in Russia. It's Russia . . . I mean, like what do you expect? Didn't you see Dr. Zhivago? 

One last Facebook comment: “Those opening ceremonies were incredible. Now bring on the Curling.” I’ve been a sports fan since I was a young child, but I’ll reveal my deep, dark secret on the pages of the Ashland Times-Gazette. I don’t get curling. What’s the point? I suppose I’d better watch my back now that I’ve made a public statement on the subject, because those curling folks are intense. Watching curling with the family does tend to bring up remarks about women with brooms, but some things you just have to ignore.

Beyond the ugly sweaters and the giant marshmallows, the Olympics have certainly livened up these long, cold February evenings. We each have our favorite event, as does my young friend Leo, who asked, “Mom, when this [speed skating] is done, can we watch the girls spin around with their Daddies?” We marvel at the grit and determination these young people exhibit, and we hold our collective breath as they experience the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. I’ll be sad to see the 2014 Olympics come to an end, but don’t despair, for in thirty months, we’ll have Tiger Woods, rugby and beach volleyball in Rio. Can’t wait!

Olympic Reflections

While it may not reach the dramatic heights of Storage Wars, the games of the 30^th Olympiad have shown us the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat over the last two weeks.  Who will be the fastest man, the fastest woman in the world?  Who will win tonight?   Good thing the games are over this weekend – this could become addictive.

 I’m going on record: that was one bizarre opening celebration.  I couldn’t figure out why Abe Lincoln kept showing up, discovering later that it was actually British actor Kenneth Branagh portraying Isambard Kingdom Brunel , instrumental in the early days of the Industrial Revolution. 

I do have a pet peeve about the television coverage of the ceremony – I know that commercials are needed to broadcast the games, but couldn’t they suspend them for the athletes’ entrance to the stadium?  Family members and friends around the world tune in for one glimpse of their beloved athlete, only to go to commercial break when they’re next in line.  Reminds me of the year our son was in the Rose Bowl Parade.  

London 2012 was a far cry from the opening ceremonies at the London Olympics in 1948, which featured brass bands, the entrance of the royal family, and (probably) long-winded speeches.  It was Lord Burghley who set the tone for the XIV Olympiad, the first to be held after the end of World War II, believing that the 1948 Olympics would serve as a "warm flame of hope for a better understanding in the world which has burned so low.” 

How times have changed since 1948.  As highlighted in the recent Title IX series on the sports pages of the Times-Gazette, the doors for women in sports have gradually been pried open since 1948.  One favorite of the 1948 games was the Dutch sprinter Fanny Blankers-Koen, nicknamed "The Flying Housewife."  This 30-year old mother of two children won four gold medals in athletics, and it’s likely she would have racked up gold in the long jump and high jump as well, but female athletes were limited to participation in 3 individual events in those days. 

In 1948, 3714 male athletes competed in the Olympics, with only 390 female athletes involved in the games.  Now, in 2012, 4862 female athletes joined the 6098 male participants, and nearly all the events have categories for both men and women – only rhythmic gymnastics and synchronized swimming are female only.    

I’ve been awed by the performances of the athletes but not inspired to take up boxing or marathon swimming.   However, my 6 and 8 year old nephews caught the Olympic bug, perfecting their dives (jumps) into the pool and convincing their uncle to drag Grandpa’s ping pong table from the basement to the garage.  Both born in Korea, they plan to claim dual citizenship and beat China in 2024!  

As the athletes proudly marched into the London stadium two weeks ago, many had their eyes on the prize, the gold at the end of the rainbow, yet most will go home empty-handed.  All that training, all that sacrifice – all for naught.  That certainly is one way to look at it. 

But ask Sarah or Oscar about that.  Sarah Attar ran for Saudi Arabia wearing a hijab, finishing last in her 800 meter heat to an ovation from the crowd.  Oscar Pistorius, aka “the Blade Runner,” competed on artificial limbs in the 400 meter race, making it into the semi-final.  Sarah and Oscar may not be bringing medals home, but their courage will glow long into the future of the Olympic heritage.   

While their stories are in the headlines of the Olympic world, each athlete who enters the stadium for the closing ceremonies on Sunday has his or her own story of dreams and disappointments, of tears of frustration and tears of joy.  But in the festive gathering at the close of these Olympic games, they’ll pose for pictures with new-found friends, exchanging the challenge of competition for the camaraderie of the broader Olympic story.  For them, and for us, the Olympics have provided “a warm flame of hope for a better understanding in the world.”  Just think, only 4 years ‘til Rio!