Are the Olympics a relic from the last century?

[Anonymous]

I keep thinking about the nytimes article about whether the Olympics are worth the risk. With 24/7 access to media and international competition across many sports, do the Olympics even matter anymore? What do you think? Can they come back from this?

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/17/sports/olympics/tokyo-olympics.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage

[Anonymous]

They make too many people rich to ever go away, but I think they're a snooze.

[Anonymous]

I love the Olympics. Maybe they shouldn’t be held this year. But usually they’re the only sports I ever watch on TV. For some reason I love to watch the swimming competitions and find it relaxing.

[Anonymous]

I like the Olympics. And I’m not even into sports.

[Anonymous]

We can’t wait to watch, but it’s corrupt as hell.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, I just can’t get into the Olympics this year. It just seemed so…blah.

[Anonymous]

I have an acquaintance competing and the photos from the village are downright depressing. They are dining with plexiglass dividers between people.

What a weird time to be an Olympian.

[Anonymous]

I usually LOVE the Olympics, but for I'm just not feeling it this year. I'll watch, but in a typical year I'd be waiting months for it. I used to throw olympic themed parties, do Olympic crafts with my kids, etc etc etc...just not feeling like that this year.

[Anonymous]

I love the olympics. Speak to our high selves. Truly inspiring to see people do such feats for their country.

[Anonymous]

Yes, it's outlived it's usefulness.

[Anonymous]

DD and I really enjoyed watching the US trials for diving, swimming, and gymnastics. Now that we know who’s who, we’re interested to watch them at the Olympics.

[Anonymous]

Yes, it's outlived it's usefulness.

Please explain what you mean by this.

[Anonymous]

It is entertainment, just like any other sports we follow on national level. Not all that much different from movies or even theater or other arts.

[Anonymous]

Now a US gymnast tests positive. How many people will be allowed to compete in a week's time?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is entertainment, just like any other sports we follow on national level. Not all that much different from movies or even theater or other arts.

Still it carries this special aura. Athletes still talk about missing out due to the 1980 boycott or being denied a gold by doping athletes in the 1970s and 1980s.

I don't enjoy the jingoism that goes with it. Where I'm originally from they actually give out knighthoods and damehoods to those who get gold medals in minor sports.