Reply #40: Here's an example of what I don't like about the American media's

[Seabiscuit]

coverage of and influence on the Olympics:

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summer04/swimming/news/story?id=1859781

The proven veteran, Gary Hall, Jr. was taken off the 4X100 freestyle relay as a result of media pressure on America's team coach - after all, NBC is running ads from American Express, etc. during its Olympic coverage sponsoring Michael Phelps as already a gold medal winner and potential challenger to Mark Spitz' 7 gold medal record. I'm not saying Michael Phelps didn't deserve to be on the team in the finals, but so did Gary Hall, Jr.

And I've also been very embarassed at the conduct of some of our athletes in the past - the way Charles Barkley repeatedly insulted other countries when he played for Team USA - the way that little witch on the USA women's swim team spouted all that egomaniacal ultra-patriotic crap against the Australians in Sydney 4 years ago. There have been a few American athletes that have gotten too caught up in all the pro-American hoopla in the twisted American media coverage of the Olympics, and I'm sick of it all.

I also, from watching some of the events so far, am sensing a stronger determination than ever on behalf of teams from other countries around the world to beat us. Maybe they feel they need to make a statement to Bush and Americans in general - hey, we're out here, and get rid of that swollen head of yours - we're just as good as you and you can't afford to ignore us and insult us and write us off any more. Sure, it may be a bit of a stretch, but maybe that's how they're thinking this year.

So I'm not upset when Portugal totally demolishes Team USA in basketball. Maybe some of our athletes and coaches have taken past "glory" too much for granted and maybe it's our time to lose for a change, and time for us to take stock of it all and pay a little more respect to the rest of the world.

But in the end, I'm just rooting for the "Olympic spirit" - and hoping politics will be put aside and may the best athletes around the world win at their chosen sports.