Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we’ve evolved past the nationalistic aspect of the Olympics (it’s kind of gross now to chant “USA, USA”) and most just want to see great competition and sportsmanship, no matter the nationalities of the athletes involved.

How is that gross?

It’s crass jingoism that belongs to a worse time in the county’s history. Given the US elected a wannabe dictator 4 years ago, half the population still won’t acknowledge they lost, and they supported and insurrection in January, I think we have a very long way to go before we can chant USA again. I’ll still cheer on all individual athletes to do their best, but I’m not going to make this into some test of patriotic zeal.

This is not a widely held belief.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we’ve evolved past the nationalistic aspect of the Olympics (it’s kind of gross now to chant “USA, USA”) and most just want to see great competition and sportsmanship, no matter the nationalities of the athletes involved.

How is that gross?

It’s crass jingoism that belongs to a worse time in the county’s history. Given the US elected a wannabe dictator 4 years ago, half the population still won’t acknowledge they lost, and they supported and insurrection in January, I think we have a very long way to go before we can chant USA again. I’ll still cheer on all individual athletes to do their best, but I’m not going to make this into some test of patriotic zeal.

Anonymous wrote:I think we’ve evolved past the nationalistic aspect of the Olympics (it’s kind of gross now to chant “USA, USA”) and most just want to see great competition and sportsmanship, no matter the nationalities of the athletes involved.

How is that gross?

So boring! I can't stand to watch it or hear about it or see Simone Biles picture on literally every piece of news about it. Are there other sports the US is participating in or just her in gymnastics??

Nope, just her. Opening and closing ceremonies won't be as interesting with just one person marching in but so be it.

So boring! I can't stand to watch it or hear about it or see Simone Biles picture on literally every piece of news about it. Are there other sports the US is participating in or just her in gymnastics??

I think we’ve evolved past the nationalistic aspect of the Olympics (it’s kind of gross now to chant “USA, USA”) and most just want to see great competition and sportsmanship, no matter the nationalities of the athletes involved.

Yes, in the sense that athletes once competed for glory, perhaps nation, and an olive wreath, the whole time embracing the tenets of amateurism. Now, it is little more than a marketing springboard for niche athletes, coupled with an opportunity to have international sex for about 2 weeks. .

I hate most sports, and I like them. And now with technology making streaming video so much more widely available, it's possible for them to be truly global rather than just a few countries watching them. I do think Japan shouldn't have pushed to have the Olympics now though with everything going on with the Delta variant. But they paid a billion dollars in infrastructure costs to host the games, I guess they had to try to get a return out of it.

It's now too expensive and sucks down too many resources.

Any idealistic notions of bringing the world together have only been half heartedly successful. Would be better to spend all that money to help the environment or world health.

I like watching the Olympics but have been wondering if it should be maintained. I was disappointed when they started allowing professionals because I liked idea of the Olympics as a showcase for amateurs. But, I think this change has probably benefited athletes. I'm still less interested in watching the Olympics for sports that have strong professional leagues (or circuits) like basketball or tennis. I watch it more for sports that I'm really only interested in watching every 4 years. I like it as a change of pace or something different. But now there are so many ESPN and other sports channels on TV that I can watch more obscure sports anytime I want.

Totally not interested. Super boring and just commercialized. It's also corrupt - very corrupt.

I like them. I always root for the underdog in what ever competition and watching the Davids take down Goliath is something to really cheer for!

Anonymous wrote:

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.

It's a harmless thing for a country to be competitive in and feel proud of. It's channels those nationalistic feelings into activities that are harmless. It lets countries show off in peaceful ways.

Yes, the gymnast who tested positive is Kara Eaker, who is definitely vaccinated.

Her roommate, Leanne Wong, is not. Or was not at Olympic Trials.

I would assumed they are both isolating.