Team USA Basketball vs. Iraq Soccer Team

[Sandpiper]

Normally, I hate sports as a metaphor for life, but in this case I think its pretty accurate. I think each of these teams has come to represent how the other nations of the world feel about each country at this point in time.

Team USA Basketball has come to represent to the other nations of the world, all that is wrong with the United States. They're a group of overpaid, overconfident, overdogs. Consequently, they're the team everyone loves to hate in the 2004 games.

The Iraq Soccer Team on the other hand has become the feel good story of the Olympics. They're a team of determined underdogs that are playing over their heads. They've come to symbolize the resilience of a nation in the face of the worst adversity.

Has anyone else noticed this?

[leeman67]

1. I think you're riight, but it's unfortunate that politics has to

interfere with the Olympics. I know it usually does, and it's hard for it not to. Case in point - Bush exploiting the participation and success of the Iraqi soccer team, as justification for his invasion of their country.