Hello NY and everywhere else, I'm Bird and you're in the Birdcage at Hockeybird.com.
I love the Olympics. There....I said it. I'll say it again, you can't stop me. I know, a lot of you have taken up with the anti-Olympic crowd. It's OK, I won't think less of you. But you know what? I'm thinking it's a bit strange to read so many....writers here, posters on the boards and all over the place dissing the Olympics. I wonder why that is.
In 1976 I wanted to BE Franz Klammer. That year he flew down a mountain in Innsbruck in what seemed to be out of control madness to Olympic gold. I can still see the run in my mind. There he was in mid air with his arms waving, desperately trying to gain balance.....what a sight.
What happened in 1980 speaks for itself. I'll never forget it, how it felt and what it did for this country I live in. It's not just the winter games I enjoy. In 1972 I fell in love with Olga Korbut, the Soviet gymnast who won gold. The following Olympics it was Nadia Komenich.
Pardon the language but I like curling. I like speed skating. All the skiing events. I dig that stuff....but that's just me. But I do understand why some are not of the same opinion. I realize that I'm just a dumb guy with a website so I don't expect everyone to agree with me all the time. But I do wonder what all the complaining is about......
Could it be the losing?
To me the Olympics were never just about winning. To me, the Games are about competing. Who didn't love Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards, the English ski jumper who couldn't jump far? The Jamaican Bobsled team, that wasn't cool? While America loves winners a large part of us also like to root for the underdog. It's part of our Psyche.
The US team was disappointing. So was Canada. But it's not just the losing is it? I mean, I was happy for that Italian guy who won gold as the two American skaters bickered in the press. My wife asked where my patriotism was. Trust me, a more patriotic guy you'll not likely meet. Full disclosure though, my Mom was born in Italy. I am one half, first generation off the boat. For whatever that's worth. I still thought it was cool for the Italian guy to win, he'll be a local hero. What a great thing for him. But you can't question my love of country. I loved chanting "USA, USA" back a few years when I saw a US vs. Canada pre-Olympic match at Nassau.
I can see where some NHL fans might have some issues with the Games though. I mean, as NHL fans we root for our teams. We wouldn't want a player to get injured in an Olympic tourney and miss out on his services, possibly costing us games. Of course not. Look, I'm still worried about Jagr as I keep hearing this headache thing but that hit could have happened three weeks ago. I'm not happy about what Ruutu did but that's what happens in hockey. There are other players who were hurt in these Olympics. But you can't play the game without a risk of injury.....that goes for each and every game. But people wouldn't trash the Olympics out of fear of injury, would they?
Pros....out of the games? I'm pretty sure that Vlad Tretiak wasn't a paperboy by day and the USSR keeper by night. There have been pros in the games going further back than Nagano and there will be in the future. It's unrealistic to think that'll change. With the joke that the USA basketball team became and the losses of both the US and Canada in hockey this year it's obvious that the "Dream Team" concept can be a nightmare. Too much dream, not enough team.
Again, I understand why the herd has moved away from the Games.....but I've never been anyone's herd member. I love the Olympics, win or lose. Popular or not. I'll set the Tivo and make sure the fridge is full of beers from around the world. Long live the Olympic spirit....oh, and spirits in general.
----}- Bird
Posted by Bird at February 23, 2006 08:03 AMeMail this entry!
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