Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf

[HAL 9000 96]

(No offense) Pretty interesting coming from someone whom has to lookup word meanings to make sure they don't offend segments of the population whom have been on the receiving end of racist policy, both official and unofficial- in this very country.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Perhaps flag-waving is an Olympic Sport all of its own...

Chest-beating is competition sport too. Or so I heard...

The prestige of representing one's country is a sideshow to their performance in an athlete's chosen event.

I wonder if team selectors have deliberately left out superior athletes on the basis of incompatible politics... I'm sure its happened - but it seems wrong somehow...

Edited March 4, 2009 by Paul Daniels

[HAL 9000 96]

Well if it really was just a patriotic thing... then many of these athletes really wouldn't mind if, say... 80-90% of their exorbitant salaries were dedicated to helping out their fellow citizens survive during rough economical times.

[_Simpson_ 250]

(No offense) Pretty interesting coming from someone whom has to lookup word meanings to make sure they don't offend segments of the population whom have been on the receiving end of racist policy, both official and unofficial- in this very country.

Thats the thing with that whole post, nobody was reading everything that was being posted and was just jumping in, the whole point was that if a word could be constrewed the wrong way that I wouldnt want to use it in a situation that could comprise my security, some say I was to paranoind and thats fine but please at least pay attention if your going to make a comment like yours.

[HAL 9000 96]

(No offense) Pretty interesting coming from someone whom has to lookup word meanings to make sure they don't offend segments of the population whom have been on the receiving end of racist policy, both official and unofficial- in this very country.

Thats the thing with that whole post, nobody was reading everything that was being posted and was just jumping in, the whole point was that if a word could be constrewed the wrong way that I wouldnt want to use it in a situation that could comprise my security, some say I was to paranoind and thats fine but please at least pay attention if your going to make a comment like yours.

Welcome to VJ.

Context IS everything.

[_Simpson_ 250]

No, it has more to do with wanting to excel personally in a particular area of sport. It is much more about personal achievement than doing something for one's country.

Then why just not come together as athletes under no flags?

[Peikko 1,575]

They need money.

Mind you, they do in very many disciplines. There are all kinds of championships in individual sports that are never aired on national media, so no one has a clue they go on. Not much flag waving at these events

[_Simpson_ 250]

They need money.

Mind you, they do in very many disciplines. There are all kinds of championships in individual sports that are never aired on national media, so no one has a clue they go on. Not much flag waving at these events

I'm not saying that every sport needs my country vs yours, but when we come together at the Olympics I think that that is the over all tone and with that said good sportsmanship should follow, personal records and achievements need to be recognized and rewarded.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The Olympics have always been a politically charged event.

The last games in China were no exception - thanks to the IOCs selection of Beijing as host.

[Peikko 1,575]

My only point is that these things are driven first and foremost by the participants desire to excel in a particular sporting field. Anything after that is either a bonus or a chore, dependent on one's point of view. Sure, some athletes get all 'country' emotional at the Olympics, others just want to be known as the best in the world. In some sports the Olympics isn't even the pinnacle of sporting achievement, notably soccer and Tennis

[one...two...tree 2,762]

1996? What is the relevance to current events? Shelby, what made you want to bring this up now?

[_Simpson_ 250]

(No offense) Pretty interesting coming from someone whom has to lookup word meanings to make sure they don't offend segments of the population whom have been on the receiving end of racist policy, both official and unofficial- in this very country.

Thats the thing with that whole post, nobody was reading everything that was being posted and was just jumping in, the whole point was that if a word could be constrewed the wrong way that I wouldnt want to use it in a situation that could comprise my security, some say I was to paranoind and thats fine but please at least pay attention if your going to make a comment like yours.

Welcome to VJ.

Context IS everything.

It was maddening I would try to explain my point with new examples and those examples were picked apart with no attention to the overall point I was making. You know I didn't have any grey hairs before starting that thread.

[HAL 9000 96]

Before stating examples you should perhaps define what it is you want discussed and clarify your own points of view when opening a thread.

[rclouse 0]

From what I understand the National Anthem wasn't performed before sporting events & the like until WWII. IMHO it should have been discontinued afterwards, but it wasn't.

[_Simpson_ 250]

My only point is that these things are driven first and foremost by the participants desire to excel in a particular sporting field. Anything after that is either a bonus or a chore, dependent on one's point of view. Sure, some athletes get all 'country' emotional at the Olympics, others just want to be known as the best in the world. In some sports the Olympics isn't even the pinnacle of sporting achievement, notably soccer and Tennis

Ok I see, Yes different athletes do it for different reasons. I guess with me I really like the athletes that take pride in doing it for there country and make that there overall theme.