Beijing Olympics

Will the world come together for sport. Will the world come together to cheer the victors, and also rans.

I have not talked to many people that are excited about the start of the beijing olympics.  The olympics have always been an exciting time in my house. Two weeks that history is made. two weeks that may never return to the host city or take many many years to return again. i do not think Los Angeles will see the return of the Olympics in my lifetime.

I was only a pup of 15 but i remember it like it was yesterday. The way the whole city shut down except for the Olympics.  All most no traffic. the way the events brought everyone together no matter what country you were from. everyone was on their best behavior like if it was Christmas and peter ueberoth had brought us the best present ever.

Every event had drama every athlete like a actor on the stage of his dreams. i witnessed the end of the first ever women’s marathon in the Olympics. Of course joan benoit won the gold.  But my lasting impression is of that swiss lady Gabriela Andersen-Schiess  stumbling into and around the track heroically finishing the race in 37th.  as she made her way around the track each section would rise and cheer so mightily cheering her on the world stage. i look forward to moments like that. Moments that take time and patience and at once make history.

i for one do not care for the ways of the chinese government but it only makes it easier for me to root against them against the new olympic superpower.