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- I did end up watching a fair amount of Olympic coverage this year.
- Although I watched on my own terms. The TV was on – but the sound was muted 80% of the time
- I read four books the past two weeks. In between pages, I’d look up and see what was happening in Rio. I’d turn up the volume and pay attention to an event. At the next commercial break, I’d re-mute the TV and continue with my book.
- Usain Bolt can run like the wind blows … and he has fun while doing it. He’s refreshing.
- I was pleasantly surprised with the host city. The pre-Olympic news stories were predicting a disaster with poor infrastructure, sanitation, threats of terror. Aside from the water turning green in the diving pools – all was OK.
- In fact, before this year’s Games, I was questioning if the Olympics had outlived it’s usefulness and purpose. With all the problems of the world was it time for the Olympics to go bye-bye?
- Rio is a beautiful city. It was a perfect visual backdrop for the outdoor events such as cycling, marathon, rowing, and beach volleyball.
- Poor behavior by a few US swimmers seems to be the biggest scandal. The media loved it. It saddened me.
- The US dominated the medal tally for the Rio Games. Why? My theory is individual freedom and liberty and our system of capitalism. Children are free to pursue their passions. The economic engine of capitalism makes it possible to fund those passions.
- I say keep the Games going if the following three criteria can be met:
- Host cities (and the Olympic governing body) remain free from corruption and a real benefit to the host city and it’s people is realized. No more financial boondoggles ala Athens, Sochi, Rio(?).
- Clean competition. Athletes need to be clean. Nutrition and training – fine. Performance enhancing drugs – no bueno.
- Safety. Worldwide terrorism has changed the way we live. If the host city can provide safety for athletes and spectators and tourists then fine. If the Olympics starts to feel like a prison and war zone then it?s not worth it.
- The PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics starts in 18 months.