Two Cents Worth
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It is just a bit too much.
You all know I am a huge sports fan. The Olympics are like a smorgasbord of the most succulent delicacies from all over the world. It features the best combination of physical and mental domination, the execution of superior quality feats of endurance and skill, on the world stage for recognition of supremacy in their sport.
Some are more supreme than others and only a few receive the tributes.
Being down with a cold last weekend was the perfect excuse to stay hunkered inside by the fireplace, sipping hot lemon and honey, gagging down Buckley’s Mixture and gorging on sports. Maybe it was the cold but I was just not into the opening ceremonies. Although it was all beautiful and inspiring it was just too much.
The parade of nations and the history stuff was my favourite part. Who didn’t smile at the excitement and exuberance of the Venezuelan flag bearer/alpine skier? To see the brave Germans marching proudly in their fluorescent rainbow-coloured jackets over orange flowered pants was hilarious. Chinese Taipei came in their housecoats. And the Americans – shades of ugly Christmas sweaters. I’m just sayin’. Some countries did an exceptional job in designing the outfits. I really liked Poland, Slovenia and Japan’s outfits. Our Canadians look pretty darned good, too. We just love to critique the fashions, don’t we?
Then the hours of pageantry and spectacle began. It was colourful and confusing. There was too much going on, all at the same time, all over the venue. Bunch doing cartwheels over here, huge tea cups, balloons and things I don’t even know what they were floating in the centre, clowns bouncing on doughnuts, others on stilts, dancing, lights, fireworks, singing, bounding, roller skating, whirling, jumping, music, flying and riding around on little tractors. They did it brilliantly and it was all so beautiful but I didn’t understand any of it.
The commentators did their best to connect the action on the floor with some historical event or Russian development but I just couldn’t make sense of most of it. And it was way too long. Everything just dragged on and on and…
They got all the important stuff in - the speeches and oaths, singing of the anthem, carrying and hoisting the Olympic flag and lighting the flame. It took forever. Might have been the cold but I had a nap. Not to worry I caught the parts I missed during the afternoon showing or the evening presentation.
More attention should be on the stars of the show, those we came to watch and to cheer for, those who have dedicated their lives to their sport, who willingly sacrificed much, are committed, driven to get to this level of excellence. Not many make it and they should be rewarded for their efforts.
As a kid, I was a pretty decent athlete. I played ball and was a figure skater. I could land a single Wally jump, do a short, slow spin without throwing up and had a spiral to die for. Maybe, like many of you, I too, could have made it to the Olympics but I was never willing to work that hard, sweat that much, give up anything or cause myself such pain and discomfort. So I watch in awe and appreciation for what these folks have accomplished.
We need to get over ourselves, stop trying to outdo the previous country and put the spotlight where it belongs - on the athletes. Just think what those $50 billion dollars spent could do for the underprivileged in that country. They could have even maybe got the rooms done, the toilets to work or potable water.
The rest of the week I indulged in as many luscious morsels on the buffet as I could.