Olympics 2008

[BarTopDancer]

I feel a connection to swimming because I used to swim. I feel no connection to anything to do with horses though and while I want our team to do well in every event it's not something I'm going to go out of my way to watch or root for.

Team USA is the home team in the Olympics. I want them to do well. I also want the world to be reminded that the USA isn't just Bush and war. It's people, just like them.

[Morrigoon]

Originally Posted by BarTopDancer

Team USA is the home team in the Olympics. I want them to do well. I also want the world to be reminded that the USA isn't just Bush and war. It's people, just like them.

To that end, it would be good for us to do pretty well, but also good for us to not totally dominate. Some close calls, some occasional very near losses, those are good for national goodwill. Though it's good to be victorious, we can't seem unbeatable either.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

To that end, it would be good for us to do pretty well, but also good for us to not totally dominate. Some close calls, some occasional very near losses, those are good for national goodwill. Though it's good to be victorious, we can't seem unbeatable either.

I'm sorry, but I find this ridiculous. Isn't the Olympics about bringing the best of the world together and seeing who wins? Honestly, if the french (just singling this out as one example) have bad will toward America because they lost the 4x100, that's their problem, not ours.

[Morrigoon]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

I'm sorry, but I find this ridiculous. Isn't the Olympics about bringing the best of the world together and seeing who wins? Honestly, if the french (just singling this out as one example) have bad will toward America because they lost the 4x100, that's their problem, not ours.

I'm not suggesting it as a strategy, but the reality of it is, such things DO have an impact on international relations and on the sentiment one country holds toward another. That's kind of the point. Using sports as a way to compete and yet cooperate with other countries and generate goodwill.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

That's kind of the point. Using sports as a way to compete and yet cooperate with other countries and generate goodwill.

Or perpetuate ill will

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

I'm not suggesting it as a strategy, but the reality of it is, such things DO have an impact on international relations and on the sentiment one country holds toward another. That's kind of the point. Using sports as a way to compete and yet cooperate with other countries and generate goodwill.

OK....makes more sense (and not ridiculous), but I suppose it is a sad thing that anyone would have to worry about someone disliking them because they win. I will always reagrd that as an issue of the loser having a problem, not the winner. Of course, there is such a thing as being a bad winner, though the initial exuberance of winning doesn't fall into that.

What makes one better in any competitive endeavor is going against those who are better than you and forcing you to find a better way to do things. I don't hate my main basketball rival, but I want to beat them desperately. A couple of years ago I lost to them by 23. Four days later we beat them in overtime because I was forced to try some different things to beat them. Made me a better coach, made my players better, too. And it was one of the most satisfying moments of any athletic moment of my life.