Comments on: What’s Wrong with the Winter Olympics http://cmcforum.com/life/03012010-whats-wrong-with-the-winter-olympics The Official Student Publication of Claremont McKenna College Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:14:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: John http://cmcforum.com/life/03012010-whats-wrong-with-the-winter-olympics#comment-22323 John Tue, 02 Mar 2010 01:05:57 +0000 http://cmcforum.com/?p=11261#comment-22323 Spence, did I mention a word about Chinese not being medal crazed? Of course, they are. I'm well aware of how the Chinese athletes are selected and trained by the government, and regardless how their training system is different from that of US, they still train hard and compete hard and win and lose competitions. So why does the author feel so dreaded about these athletes? I'm sorry that you have mistaken what I was trying to say and no, I'm not insane. And you said, "...And, one day, so will the Chinese. They are welcome here." I hope you are sincere about it. Spence, did I mention a word about Chinese not being medal crazed? Of course, they are. I’m well aware of how the Chinese athletes are selected and trained by the government, and regardless how their training system is different from that of US, they still train hard and compete hard and win and lose competitions. So why does the author feel so dreaded about these athletes? I’m sorry that you have mistaken what I was trying to say and no, I’m not insane. And you said, “…And, one day, so will the Chinese. They are welcome here.” I hope you are sincere about it.

]]> By: John http://cmcforum.com/life/03012010-whats-wrong-with-the-winter-olympics#comment-50065 John Tue, 02 Mar 2010 01:05:00 +0000 http://cmcforum.com/?p=11261#comment-50065 Spence, did I mention a word about Chinese not being medal crazed? Of course, they are. I'm well aware of how the Chinese athletes are selected and trained by the government, and regardless how their training system is different from that of US, they still train hard and compete hard and win and lose competitions. So why does the author feel so dreaded about these athletes? I'm sorry that you have mistaken what I was trying to say and no, I'm not insane. And you said, "...And, one day, so will the Chinese. They are welcome here." I hope you are sincere about it. Spence, did I mention a word about Chinese not being medal crazed? Of course, they are. I’m well aware of how the Chinese athletes are selected and trained by the government, and regardless how their training system is different from that of US, they still train hard and compete hard and win and lose competitions. So why does the author feel so dreaded about these athletes? I’m sorry that you have mistaken what I was trying to say and no, I’m not insane. And you said, “…And, one day, so will the Chinese. They are welcome here.” I hope you are sincere about it.

]]> By: JW http://cmcforum.com/life/03012010-whats-wrong-with-the-winter-olympics#comment-22322 JW Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:53:57 +0000 http://cmcforum.com/?p=11261#comment-22322 No offense but this has to be the dumbest and most pointless article I have read in a while. Yes this is the Winter Olympics which eliminates a lot of countries from competing like most of the African nations. The Olympics (both summer and winter) are as much about sportsmanship as they are about a nation showcasing their economic and political prowess. Take the Beijing games; that was China's way of saying F.U. to the western powers and proclaiming their arrival as a world super-power on the political, econimic and athletic front. It was overkill in my opinion, and it showed their insecurity; but it was their coming out party and they put on a show that might not be matched in a very long time. Furthermore, your analysis of the Koreans are both misinformed and just plain ignorant. What is the difference between the Scandanavian countries dominating the Nordic events, or the Austrians who usually dominate the Alpine events, and the Dutch who usually own the speedskating oval? Each country has a national sport or a sport that they develop a comparative advantage over other nations. Not many nations have the resources to compete on all levels like the Americans, Germans, or the Russians. But still, the Koreans with only 43 athletes at the Vancouver games, made the finals in bobsledding, skeleton, and the halfpipe. They also beat the crap out of the Chinese and Japanese (in medal count) who both have a much larger population to draw talent from. That is huge for a nation like Korea who has historically been bullied by their more powerful neighbors. Yes, the medal count matters. The same can be said of the Canadiens winningvthe gold medal count and stepping out from the shadow of the US. The US dominated the overall medal count because they are not only strong on the economic and political level, but because Americans are resourceful and tough. The Koreans did well because they come from a culture where they value hard work over anything else. The Olympics mimic reality; there will be the fat cats who have it all and those who have to fight just to eat. But what is great about the Olympics is the hope and inspiration that they bring to a nation via medal count or the spirit of competition. I miss the Jamaican bobsled team. I miss Faisel the hapless cross country skier from Morocco. I miss Eddie the Eagle from the UK, and the countless others who never had a chance to win but still competed and became heros. That is what makes the olympics great. It is the perfect reflection of who is on top of the world, who is rising or falling, and of course, it showcases the human spirit to achieve something greater. Just remember that equality is an illusion. If you think that medals don't matter, think of this Ari. If Jesse Owens just competed and not won gold in Berlin in front of Hitler, how would history have remembered him. No offense but this has to be the dumbest and most pointless article I have read in a while. Yes this is the Winter Olympics which eliminates a lot of countries from competing like most of the African nations. The Olympics (both summer and winter) are as much about sportsmanship as they are about a nation showcasing their economic and political prowess. Take the Beijing games; that was China’s way of saying F.U. to the western powers and proclaiming their arrival as a world super-power on the political, econimic and athletic front. It was overkill in my opinion, and it showed their insecurity; but it was their coming out party and they put on a show that might not be matched in a very long time. Furthermore, your analysis of the Koreans are both misinformed and just plain ignorant. What is the difference between the Scandanavian countries dominating the Nordic events, or the Austrians who usually dominate the Alpine events, and the Dutch who usually own the speedskating oval? Each country has a national sport or a sport that they develop a comparative advantage over other nations. Not many nations have the resources to compete on all levels like the Americans, Germans, or the Russians. But still, the Koreans with only 43 athletes at the Vancouver games, made the finals in bobsledding, skeleton, and the halfpipe. They also beat the crap out of the Chinese and Japanese (in medal count) who both have a much larger population to draw talent from. That is huge for a nation like Korea who has historically been bullied by their more powerful neighbors. Yes, the medal count matters. The same can be said of the Canadiens winningvthe gold medal count and stepping out from the shadow of the US. The US dominated the overall medal count because they are not only strong on the economic and political level, but because Americans are resourceful and tough. The Koreans did well because they come from a culture where they value hard work over anything else. The Olympics mimic reality; there will be the fat cats who have it all and those who have to fight just to eat. But what is great about the Olympics is the hope and inspiration that they bring to a nation via medal count or the spirit of competition. I miss the Jamaican bobsled team. I miss Faisel the hapless cross country skier from Morocco. I miss Eddie the Eagle from the UK, and the countless others who never had a chance to win but still competed and became heros. That is what makes the olympics great. It is the perfect reflection of who is on top of the world, who is rising or falling, and of course, it showcases the human spirit to achieve something greater. Just remember that equality is an illusion. If you think that medals don’t matter, think of this Ari. If Jesse Owens just competed and not won gold in Berlin in front of Hitler, how would history have remembered him.

]]> By: JW http://cmcforum.com/life/03012010-whats-wrong-with-the-winter-olympics#comment-50064 JW Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:53:00 +0000 http://cmcforum.com/?p=11261#comment-50064 No offense but this has to be the dumbest and most pointless article I have read in a while. Yes this is the Winter Olympics which eliminates a lot of countries from competing like most of the African nations. The Olympics (both summer and winter) are as much about sportsmanship as they are about a nation showcasing their economic and political prowess. Take the Beijing games; that was China's way of saying F.U. to the western powers and proclaiming their arrival as a world super-power on the political, econimic and athletic front. It was overkill in my opinion, and it showed their insecurity; but it was their coming out party and they put on a show that might not be matched in a very long time. Furthermore, your analysis of the Koreans are both misinformed and just plain ignorant. What is the difference between the Scandanavian countries dominating the Nordic events, or the Austrians who usually dominate the Alpine events, and the Dutch who usually own the speedskating oval? Each country has a national sport or a sport that they develop a comparative advantage over other nations. Not many nations have the resources to compete on all levels like the Americans, Germans, or the Russians. But still, the Koreans with only 43 athletes at the Vancouver games, made the finals in bobsledding, skeleton, and the halfpipe. They also beat the crap out of the Chinese and Japanese (in medal count) who both have a much larger population to draw talent from. That is huge for a nation like Korea who has historically been bullied by their more powerful neighbors. Yes, the medal count matters. The same can be said of the Canadiens winningvthe gold medal count and stepping out from the shadow of the US. The US dominated the overall medal count because they are not only strong on the economic and political level, but because Americans are resourceful and tough. The Koreans did well because they come from a culture where they value hard work over anything else. The Olympics mimic reality; there will be the fat cats who have it all and those who have to fight just to eat. But what is great about the Olympics is the hope and inspiration that they bring to a nation via medal count or the spirit of competition. I miss the Jamaican bobsled team. I miss Faisel the hapless cross country skier from Morocco. I miss Eddie the Eagle from the UK, and the countless others who never had a chance to win but still competed and became heros. That is what makes the olympics great. It is the perfect reflection of who is on top of the world, who is rising or falling, and of course, it showcases the human spirit to achieve something greater. Just remember that equality is an illusion. If you think that medals don't matter, think of this Ari. If Jesse Owens just competed and not won gold in Berlin in front of Hitler, how would history have remembered him. No offense but this has to be the dumbest and most pointless article I have read in a while. Yes this is the Winter Olympics which eliminates a lot of countries from competing like most of the African nations. The Olympics (both summer and winter) are as much about sportsmanship as they are about a nation showcasing their economic and political prowess. Take the Beijing games; that was China’s way of saying F.U. to the western powers and proclaiming their arrival as a world super-power on the political, econimic and athletic front. It was overkill in my opinion, and it showed their insecurity; but it was their coming out party and they put on a show that might not be matched in a very long time. Furthermore, your analysis of the Koreans are both misinformed and just plain ignorant. What is the difference between the Scandanavian countries dominating the Nordic events, or the Austrians who usually dominate the Alpine events, and the Dutch who usually own the speedskating oval? Each country has a national sport or a sport that they develop a comparative advantage over other nations. Not many nations have the resources to compete on all levels like the Americans, Germans, or the Russians. But still, the Koreans with only 43 athletes at the Vancouver games, made the finals in bobsledding, skeleton, and the halfpipe. They also beat the crap out of the Chinese and Japanese (in medal count) who both have a much larger population to draw talent from. That is huge for a nation like Korea who has historically been bullied by their more powerful neighbors. Yes, the medal count matters. The same can be said of the Canadiens winningvthe gold medal count and stepping out from the shadow of the US. The US dominated the overall medal count because they are not only strong on the economic and political level, but because Americans are resourceful and tough. The Koreans did well because they come from a culture where they value hard work over anything else. The Olympics mimic reality; there will be the fat cats who have it all and those who have to fight just to eat. But what is great about the Olympics is the hope and inspiration that they bring to a nation via medal count or the spirit of competition. I miss the Jamaican bobsled team. I miss Faisel the hapless cross country skier from Morocco. I miss Eddie the Eagle from the UK, and the countless others who never had a chance to win but still competed and became heros. That is what makes the olympics great. It is the perfect reflection of who is on top of the world, who is rising or falling, and of course, it showcases the human spirit to achieve something greater. Just remember that equality is an illusion. If you think that medals don’t matter, think of this Ari. If Jesse Owens just competed and not won gold in Berlin in front of Hitler, how would history have remembered him.

]]> By: Spence http://cmcforum.com/life/03012010-whats-wrong-with-the-winter-olympics#comment-22313 Spence Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:56:54 +0000 http://cmcforum.com/?p=11261#comment-22313 John, Chinese athletes are selected by the Chinese goverment and trained by the Chinese government at an early age to win medals and to only win medals. Period. Just like the Soviets used to do. American athletes do it on their own time with their own money. The idea that the Chinese are not "medal crazed" is the most inane, false, and utterly ridiculous statment Ive ever heard. I sense your European arrogance... What a great irony that all the great East German and Soviet athletes, from Tretiak to Katrina Witt, defect to "arrogant" America once they can no longer perform. And, one day, so will the Chinese. They are welcome here. John, Chinese athletes are selected by the Chinese goverment and trained by the Chinese government at an early age to win medals and to only win medals. Period. Just like the Soviets used to do. American athletes do it on their own time with their own money. The idea that the Chinese are not “medal crazed” is the most inane, false, and utterly ridiculous statment Ive ever heard. I sense your European arrogance…

What a great irony that all the great East German and Soviet athletes, from Tretiak to Katrina Witt, defect to “arrogant” America once they can no longer perform.

And, one day, so will the Chinese. They are welcome here.

]]> By: Spence http://cmcforum.com/life/03012010-whats-wrong-with-the-winter-olympics#comment-50063 Spence Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:56:00 +0000 http://cmcforum.com/?p=11261#comment-50063 John, Chinese athletes are selected by the Chinese goverment and trained by the Chinese government at an early age to win medals and to only win medals. Period. Just like the Soviets used to do. American athletes do it on their own time with their own money. The idea that the Chinese are not "medal crazed" is the most inane, false, and utterly ridiculous statment Ive ever heard. I sense your European arrogance... What a great irony that all the great East German and Soviet athletes, from Tretiak to Katrina Witt, defect to "arrogant" America once they can no longer perform. And, one day, so will the Chinese. They are welcome here. John, Chinese athletes are selected by the Chinese goverment and trained by the Chinese government at an early age to win medals and to only win medals. Period. Just like the Soviets used to do. American athletes do it on their own time with their own money. The idea that the Chinese are not “medal crazed” is the most inane, false, and utterly ridiculous statment Ive ever heard. I sense your European arrogance…

What a great irony that all the great East German and Soviet athletes, from Tretiak to Katrina Witt, defect to “arrogant” America once they can no longer perform.

And, one day, so will the Chinese. They are welcome here.

]]> By: Spence http://cmcforum.com/life/03012010-whats-wrong-with-the-winter-olympics#comment-22311 Spence Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:49:39 +0000 http://cmcforum.com/?p=11261#comment-22311 Is that you Jacques Rogge? OK, lets remove all the sports from the Olympics that the Americans are good at so that the rest of the world can compete. (Womens softball and ice hockey come to mind). If Americans demanded that world football (soccer) or ping pong were eliminated from the games (or just eliminated them behind closed doorrs as eurocentric IOC chairman Rogge did with women's softball) simply because we arent very good at it, there would be an uproar of hatred heard on Pluto. Take your beatings in ice hockey and softball and we'll take ours in (men's) soccer and ping pong. Stop being such whiners. Is that you Jacques Rogge?

OK, lets remove all the sports from the Olympics that the Americans are good at so that the rest of the world can compete.

(Womens softball and ice hockey come to mind).

If Americans demanded that world football (soccer) or ping pong were eliminated from the games (or just eliminated them behind closed doorrs as eurocentric IOC chairman Rogge did with women’s softball) simply because we arent very good at it, there would be an uproar of hatred heard on Pluto.

Take your beatings in ice hockey and softball and we’ll take ours in (men’s) soccer and ping pong.

Stop being such whiners.

]]> By: Spence http://cmcforum.com/life/03012010-whats-wrong-with-the-winter-olympics#comment-50062 Spence Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:49:00 +0000 http://cmcforum.com/?p=11261#comment-50062 Is that you Jacques Rogge? OK, lets remove all the sports from the Olympics that the Americans are good at so that the rest of the world can compete. (Womens softball and ice hockey come to mind). If Americans demanded that world football (soccer) or ping pong were eliminated from the games (or just eliminated them behind closed doorrs as eurocentric IOC chairman Rogge did with women's softball) simply because we arent very good at it, there would be an uproar of hatred heard on Pluto. Take your beatings in ice hockey and softball and we'll take ours in (men's) soccer and ping pong. Stop being such whiners. Is that you Jacques Rogge?

OK, lets remove all the sports from the Olympics that the Americans are good at so that the rest of the world can compete.

(Womens softball and ice hockey come to mind).

If Americans demanded that world football (soccer) or ping pong were eliminated from the games (or just eliminated them behind closed doorrs as eurocentric IOC chairman Rogge did with women’s softball) simply because we arent very good at it, there would be an uproar of hatred heard on Pluto.

Take your beatings in ice hockey and softball and we’ll take ours in (men’s) soccer and ping pong.

Stop being such whiners.

]]> By: J http://cmcforum.com/life/03012010-whats-wrong-with-the-winter-olympics#comment-22308 J Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:23:17 +0000 http://cmcforum.com/?p=11261#comment-22308 what exactly is your point - that we should celebrate the losers as much as the winners? the olympics are abut athletics excellence, which is divorced from the spirit of competition you allude to. The "problem" with the Winter Games, which is reflected in the fewer medal-winning nations, is that the sports are largely less popular than the summer counterparts, both due to social factors and simple facts of weather. so let the nations that enjoy speedskating compete in it. what is so wrong with the situation? what exactly is your point – that we should celebrate the losers as much as the winners? the olympics are abut athletics excellence, which is divorced from the spirit of competition you allude to.
The “problem” with the Winter Games, which is reflected in the fewer medal-winning nations, is that the sports are largely less popular than the summer counterparts, both due to social factors and simple facts of weather. so let the nations that enjoy speedskating compete in it. what is so wrong with the situation?

]]> By: J http://cmcforum.com/life/03012010-whats-wrong-with-the-winter-olympics#comment-50061 J Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:23:00 +0000 http://cmcforum.com/?p=11261#comment-50061 what exactly is your point - that we should celebrate the losers as much as the winners? the olympics are abut athletics excellence, which is divorced from the spirit of competition you allude to. The "problem" with the Winter Games, which is reflected in the fewer medal-winning nations, is that the sports are largely less popular than the summer counterparts, both due to social factors and simple facts of weather. so let the nations that enjoy speedskating compete in it. what is so wrong with the situation? what exactly is your point – that we should celebrate the losers as much as the winners? the olympics are abut athletics excellence, which is divorced from the spirit of competition you allude to.
The “problem” with the Winter Games, which is reflected in the fewer medal-winning nations, is that the sports are largely less popular than the summer counterparts, both due to social factors and simple facts of weather. so let the nations that enjoy speedskating compete in it. what is so wrong with the situation?

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