Coffee & Conversation: Smells Like Olympic Spirit

At the international level sport is frankly mimic warfare. But the significant thing is not the behaviour of the players but the attitude of the spectators: and, behind the spectators, of the nations who work themselves into furies over these absurd contests, and seriously believe — at any rate for short periods — that running, jumping and kicking a ball are tests of national virtue

. . .

Serious sport has nothing to do with fair play. It is bound up with hatred, jealousy, boastfulness, disregard of all rules and sadistic pleasure in witnessing violence: in other words it is war minus the shooting.

George Orwell

The Sporting Spirit

The prep-school sports games spectacular is coming to a close.  Soon, IOC President Jacques Rogge will declare the Games of the 21st Winter Olympiad closed and in accordance with tradition, will call upon youth of the world to assemble four years from now in Sochi, Russia.  Beautiful. Inspirational? Or, great reality TV! (Drama from these games might be as good as a show about a group of people kickin’ it during a summer on the shores of New Jersey.)  Death on a sled track.  Canadians can’t talk trash as well as figure skaters.  Bad costumes during ice dances.

What’s up with tape delayed performances when the Web is around?  (We watched, so, scheduled TV made a comeback?)

Inspiring, yes, but with flaws.  Can professionals really compete for the glory of the nation?  Is this really about big business and cash? Is it about advancing global cultures and peace?  Who cares about a few misbehaving athletes when you’ve got such overall beauty? Is this all really about sport?  What kind of fan are you?

This Friday, from 3-5 p.m., in the Howard Thurman Center, let’s talk about the twenty-first Olympic Winter Games.  I’ll set up the coffee and the cookies, you bring your best game (conversation).

Peace.