The Problem with the 2020 Olympics

I have always loved the Olympics. Until now. The 2021 Toyko games will be remembered by most as a huge disappointment for many reasons. Overshadowed by the Pandemic and the Woke politics of the Left, most will probably not remember these Games at all.

For me, the Olympics used to be special. The greatest athletes from around the world coming together in friendly competition. Country vs. Country, not in war, but in athletic competition. And such a variety of events!

Like most (American) sports fans, I primarily watch football, basketball, and occasionally golf and tennis. The beauty of the Olympics has always been the attraction of all those other sports not usually followed by the average fan. Gymnastics, Track and field, and swimming, just to name a few, along with a slew of of others. Honestly, there are sports I have never watched other than during the Olympics. The same is probably true for many people.

The timing also makes the Olympics special. A competition that only happens every four years! Some of the world's best have missed out on medals due to the timing. Others have defied the odds to return again and again winning medals in multiple Games. Special.

But not anymore. Postponed due to COVID, the games started with several athletes losing their opportunity to participate before they had even begun. Despite precautions, the "bubble" proved less than perfect and cases appeared right from the start. But even the Pandemic couldn't compete with political activism.

Sadly, my own country has led the way in placing sports last and social activism first. The U.S. trials featured tons of kneeling and other podium protests by athletes who insisted on putting themselves first and their teams and country last. (The only thing missing was a special event for Colin Kaepernick.) All those special hypocrites who hate their flag and anthem and country, yet still want to represent their hated country in the Olympics. Wow!

So, like a vast majority of Americans, I'm not watching this year. Even the highlights are not worth watching. Unless you're curious to see who embarrassed our country on a particular day. And although they won't admit it, all the politics is having a negative impact on performance. Just look at the US women's soccer team.

Supposedly the world's most dominant team, they have barely squeaked into the medal round and have generally played like crap, but hey, at least we all know how embarrassed they are to be from America. (And they just lost their semifinal match and their shot at the gold medal.) The US men's basketball team is underperforming. Our best gymnast has dropped out. An American athlete has already embarrassed us on the medals stand. And people wonder why no one's watching.

Of course, the worst thing about this whole situation is that the athletes most deserving of our attention, our praise and adoration are being ignored. All those squeaky wheels are getting all the grease. As for me, I’ll spend my time and attention elsewhere.