I’m not into the Olympics. If you are, you probably don’t want to read this.
I hate them in fact. For many reasons.
1. I don’t get the point. I’m not into sports and I don’t care for people who are. Certain ones don’t bother me as much. Soccer and Basketball maybe. But sports like boxing or hockey, where the guys spend half their time knocking each others teeth out, I just can’t get into.
Sure there isn’t really any (public) punching or violence involved in the Olympics. But it’s still about pitting a bunch of strangers from all over the world against each other under the guise of “coming together for a common goal”. Please. When you’re only goal in life is to make it to some competition where you hope to win a piece of metal and, more importantly, endorsement deals, I’m sure they’re not all getting together with their rivals to break bread and share their feelings.
2. The television coverage. Sure it’s annoying that most of television is put on hold for this spectacle. I have other forms of entertainment and can live without “my shows” for a few weeks.
However, the weeks leading up to it is laced with commercials promoting it. I seriously doubt that the athletes are downing big macs and cokes, like the commercials will have you believe. If you want to support “your athletes”, make sure to eat at McDs and buy the one drink that will ensure you will never be an Olympian? It insults my intelligence.
Plus, why would I want to support these guys? They chose to make a living by gambling with their bodies to make them money. Screw them. If I choose to have a kid and he/she wants to make money playing some sport, I’ll support them until that happens. Until then, I’ll stay on my diet.
3. News coverage. Ok, so this one is a little touchy. Mainly because of yesterday’s tragedy. I don’t like watching the news to begin with. I find broadcasters to be condescending and phony.I’d rather read about it online and spare myself the ridiculous segueway from the tragic shooting to the cat who can predict the future.
It seems that the entire news world revolves around the Olympics when they’re on. I’m sure there are many, many people who care about who won what, and don’t own a computer. In today’s world, you don’t need a balding middle aged man telling you what’s going on at 6pm and then again at 10pm.
So yesterday, I came home and the news was on. I watched a man die. Why? Because it was considered great news. Wow, look what we got on film. Let’s play it over and over again to the masses so they can see what an incredible tragedy this is. Saying it wouldn’t be sufficient. I’m sure mom and dad want to see the instant replay.
I felt insulted for these poor people who knew this man and saw him go off to Canada to attain his dream. But instead of watching him race for gold, they had to watch him race to the hospital for his life. On television. Over and over again. Because when I was done watching my movies at 10, I turned off my DVD player. Right there on channel 3, the news was on and they were playing it again. It’s a tragedy, but this video isn’t being used as a cautionary tale to all who may want to pursue a dream of someday going to the Olympics.
One month ago a country was practically demolished. The news coverage at the time was intense. Everyone was talking about it. I haven’t see anything on the news regarding Haiti for at least a week now. CNN was still there covering it. However, all Canadian channels were pointed to Vancouver last night to see some people dance and light a fire.
4. Show me the money. How much money went towards those stupid oversize pillars? The first domed stadium? The entire city of Vancouver? Who knows. I’m sure the economy in the city is going to skyrocket over the next month enough to pay it all back twofold.
The Olympics are about money. That’s all. It’s about getting as many people to come to them as possible to rent up rooms and eat at restaurants and buy tickets to watch the show. It’s about getting commercials on T.V.
For the athletes it’s about pride, sure. Getting that medal to put in a black box to hang on your wall. But it’s also about the cash. Getting a Gatorade or Mcdonalds commercial. Getting your picture on a box of Wheaties etc….I’m of the mind that people need to earn their lot in life. Work hard and you will be rewarded with what you deserve. I don’t believe in gambling with something that is so uncertain. Maybe that’s why I don’t understand the appeal of the Olympics.
As previously stated, I’m not into sports. I don’t support any. I don’t buy cups or t-shirts or tickets, and I don’t collect memorabilia from fast food chains. I’m into movies and books and that’s about it.
I’m sure there are athletes out there who think I’m an idiot for that, and that’s their prerogative. They can go ahead and bitch about someone like me on their sites in between lacing their skates and steroid injections. I’m writing this after a 45 minute workout, so I’m not some lazy couch potato who doesn’t understand the importance of being healthy and in shape. I just don’t get entertained by people competing for medals or rings. It’s boring and doesn’t stimulate me, and it doesn’t inspire me. In any way. It inspired this rant, and that’s about it.