Striving for the best, reaching for the gold, performing with your whole heart -- awesome stuff. The Olympics are a fantastic place to see people achieve excellence. It is far better fare than most of the scripted (or abominably unscripted) rest of American TV. But I want to note, for the record, two things that continue to irritate me as I watch the games:
1. The nationalities of many, key athletes is highly fluid
2. The games generate thousands of losers
Fluid Nationalities
America's sweetheart, Tanith Belbin, thanked her legal team when she won her medal. A Canadian by birth, she had received her US citizenship just weeks before the games. The Russian team that ended up winning the ice dancing gold was truly Russian -- but they practiced in facilities in New Jersey. One of the Italian skaters, competing now in her home territory, was born in New York and raised in the States. She came back to Italy once she learned the games would be played there.
At an individual level, these changes are no problem, but when commentators begin tallying medals 'earned' by various countries, it becomes almost ridiculous. Wealthy country attract better athletes, whether by better training facilities or better sponsorship opportunities, and poorer countries lose their stars. The nationalism of the games should fade right along with the rigor of citizenship.
Thousands of Losers
252 medals to be awarded, 2500 athletes participating. That means, from all these amazingly talented people, the Olympics will generate 2248 losers. Every one of them accomplished, dedicated people.
Of course, my wife's immediate, insightful response was, "So what do you want? Individual accomplishment medals for everyone?"
Yeah. For starters, I guess. "Everyone's a winner!" But more, I want to see games and contests that highlight the value of working together. Properly done, business should work that way. I dunno. If this is a theme, I'm still just developing it. By the time I'm 80, expect to hear me spouting a fully developed framework.
In the meanwhile, look for my new site at gametogether.net. I'll try to develop some ideas there.