Does Anybody Care about the Olympics?

Is it just me, or is the Olympic games becoming a big yawn?

I was just thinking about "Miracle", the movie that came out this year about the 1980 US Hockey gold medal team. That's a great story that really inspired a lot of national pride, with a group of college hockey players coming together to beat the best in the world.

Watching the Olympics this week, I can't seem to rouse anything close to the feelings of past Games. First, I can't relate to any of our athletes. Profiles done by NBC are trite and shallow, perhaps reflecting the personalities of the current batch of American "heroes". The profile of Amanda Beard was startling, then insulting, I would think as much to Amanda as to the audience. Rather than giving us insight into the talent, dedication, and sacrifice Amanda presumably brings to the representation of her country, we got instead a sort of tawdry Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition profile.

Then there's basketball. I never thought I would actually cease to care about the US Basketball team's success in the Olympics, but it has happened. We've got a bunch of rich, spoiled NBA guys who expect a gold medal just for showing up but are finding out that the rest of the teams in the event actually take pride in playing for their country and care about much more than picking up some more endorsement deals. Also notice the number of marquee NBA players that said "no thanks" this year; it speaks volumes about their priorities. Note to the US Olympic Committee - go back to College for your basketball team! They might lose, but at least they'll play with heart and pride.

OK, part of the problem is that the big, bad Soviet Union isn't there anymore. It's just not the same to root for the US to beat the "bad guys", when the baddest guys in the Games are China, Cuba, and N. Korea (are they even there?).

I hope next time around we'll see more athletes of great personal stature representing our country, which is exactly what we all want to root for. Give us real American Heroes!

August 19th Update: OK, there is a notable exception. Congratulations Paul Hamm on a gutsy comeback for the gymnastics gold!