| 2/21/2006 8:48:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article | What Olympics?
The world’s eyes supposedly are on Italy and the Turin Winter Olympics, a once-every-four-years spectacle of athleticism on snow and ice.
Many competitors on the U.S. team appreciate the opportunity they have and are making the most of the chance, giving a thousand-percent effort. Skier Ted Ligety won a surprising gold in the downhill combined. Then there’s Anne Abernathy, the 52-year-old grandmother who broke a wrist on a practice run in the luge or the American figure skater who essentially pulled out an IV and climbed out of a sick bed to give a stellar performance on the ice.
But some U.S. Olympians are detracting from the American effort with a seemingly lackadaisical effort, selfishness or bonehead moves.
Skier Bode Miller, a star who was expected to compete for gold in several events, had better reviews following his appearance on “60 Minutes,” where he said it was not atypical to be competing with a hangover.
Figure skater Johnny Weir washed out of the competition when he missed a city bus taking him from his room to the arena. His late arrival, he said, did not give him enough time to prepare.
Speed skater Shani Davis showed his team spirit and true colors when he refused to race in team pursuit, which cost the Americans any chance at a medal finish.
Then there’s Lyndsey Jacobellis, the snowboard-cross queen who blew a gold showboating for the crowd and then took a tumble within sight of the finish line. In one of several differing explanations she gave for the mishap, Ms. Jacobellis said she was just trying to show her enthusiasm for boarding. Perhaps she can convince the world and her sponsors that a silver medal is just as much fun and worth just as much as a gold.
Given efforts like this it’s not difficult to see why, for many Americans, the Olympics are not something to get too excited about.
Given the apparent lack of intensity by some of the competitors and the “who cares?” attitude by some, it’s almost as if the Olympics are more “about me” and “having fun” than about giving it your all for the red, white and blue.
Which is fine. But then Olympians should not expect their fellow Americans or business sponsors to contribute their hard-earned cash to support the so-called “U.S. Olympic Team.”
If Olympians expect support from their country, at the least they have to show they care about winning, about concentrating and focusing their efforts, and supporting the U.S. team.
— MJB
OTR goes on hold
In an effort to properly compile and assess all comments given, the Bureau of Land Management has put on hold until fall release of its environmental assessment of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s Over the River Project.
The project has stirred an intense pro and con debate among area residents. Thus, it’s no surprise the BLM has received something like 1,100 comments.
In the interim, the BLM expects to look into aspects of the proposal, noting in particular delving further into the traffic plan suggested by a Denver-based consultant commissioned by the artists.
The agency also said it needs more specific information about the artists’ construction plans, details on when, where and how anchors and cabling will be installed.
The comments served to bring up issues which officials had not noted before, such as whether or not the cables would interfere with birds of prey and their ability to snare fish from the river.
In the meantime, we can expect the debate to continue, at least until a final decision is reached, either by local officials or possibly in the courts.
— MJB
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