Gold and Sour Grapes

Not that I am all that interested....but sometimes it's necessary to say something...........too much of American Chauvinism and sour grapes is showing thru in these Olympics..........yes there are questions but they need to be based on something.............the articles on Karolyi's comments are from an American source............which state clearly he has no basis for his conjectures........also interesting are the news articles wondering how a slow little nation like Jamaica could actually compete with a world track power like the USA...........well get over it you are no longer on top....but then isn't that a good thing.......it has so much more meaning in a poor country..........it can change the way their country is perceived and bring big money sponsorship to help promote sports in their country..........look at the lone gold medal winner from India.....he is now the biggest celebrity in India.  So this morning on the radio they were wondering is Michael Phelps too good to be true?  It was pointed out that any major sports personage in the last 10 years has been tainted by steroids.....so that means any person who is too good is suspect.........come on let's give these athletes a break!  This is so prevalent that 41 year old Dara Torres has volunteered to be tested for ban substances everyday during the Olympics..........you ask why?  Because no 41 year old person has ever competed at this level before.....so they must be using something!  And perhaps we should have Barry Bonds and Jose Conseco to thank for this perception........and this happens because we put so much importance on being first............no second , no third....and heaven forbid if you finished fourth!  Whatever happen to the fact that these athletes work hard and put their their lives on hold to be Olympians?  Americans have complained that communist countries have professional athletes...........yes and no, in the days of say Jet LI....you were selected by the government to be an athlete....it was considered an honor to serve your country.   Today, it's not quite that way......while there are selection try outs for teams.......there are also parents who pay to have their children attend a sports school......if good they can be selected to a team........the nice part of course if you are selected the government pays for your training....but you still have to be good.....in wushu by 14 yrs old they can tell if you are going to be a high level athlete or not.  But it should be noted they have an extensive infrastructure for promoting sports in China......that would ours to to shame.......even factories have sports teams. That's the  difference in China they have sports programs at all levels......in in all major Olympic Sports including Wushu.........so of course, everyone has an opportunity and they can select the best.  In the USA, if you are good and you want to find a good coach....you pay for it.   And if you are poor you might not have a chance to develop your talent. In China, many of the really good athletes come from places you don't want to visit.......it is the sports program that has been able to change their lives and bring from the villages to big city.  Even great champions like Guo Jingjing and Yang Wei.......they did not really want to compete any more....they had to be cajoled out of retirement to compete.....note they were not ordered to compete!  China is changing rapidly......it still has so many problems that are not easy to solve.............but the old model of sports in China has already gone to the wayside, unlike what many of the western news media would have you think........yes China is a Communist Country.........but ever since it's economic model became capitalist things have begun to change........it is said in economics that you cannot change the economy and not affect the superstructure of society............the old China has already gone by..................what will China become?  That's for the generation of Guo Jingjing and Yang Wei to decide............we need to come in friendship and understanding......so we can help shape the future...........and in the end that is the goal of the Olympics!! 

Wang Hao wins the Gold medal in ping pong........a very important sport in China as it made possible for China to open to the west during the 70's...it was part of Ping Pong Diplomacy that eventually lead to Nixon visiting China.

He Kexin won the Gold in the closest possible competition on the uneven bars....as she and Nastia Liukin tied...the medal went to the competitor with the least number of mistakes!

He Wenna wins China's first Gold Medal in the Olympic Trampoline competition.......this event at one time was part of gymnastics...and has evolved into a separate event.

China's Chen Yibing reclaims the Gold Medal in the still rings.

And in a sport not covered by our TV....the Two Person Dinghy Competition the Australians win the Gold.

In other, sour grapes news....the weather has been great for at least 8 out of 10 days....with blue skies on several days..........no athlete has complained that the air was polluted or that it interfered with thier performance..........but it is hot and humid...........tho anytime it's 21c........that's good for Beijing at this time of year...................so you don't need an oxygen mask afterall!!  Again you should understand in Chinese Culture when you invite friends to visit....it's all about hospitality............and China will move heaven if possible to make the world comfortable.  The awesome Opening Ceremony should give you some idea of how much China will do to put on a show for the world

Finally, there was a big accident in cycling as the athletes crashed into each other during the competition........

Japan, Denmark, and US Cyclist were involved in a big crash....hope no one was severely injured.

And on the Basketball front, the US Redeem Team continued winning.......106-57 over the German Team.......Lebron James and Dwight Howard led the way....Howard with 22 points.

Ok no more sour grapes........just sweet grapes..........hehe........take care off  to catch some more of the Games!!