The Laughing Wolf

Another Olympic Reflection

The games were a topic of conversation this morning at the gym, and I was glad I was not the only one running late from having stayed up to see the events. One of the gentlemen behind the counter and I were talking, and he summed up nicely what we had both enjoyed so much: the sportsmanship. As he pointed out, it is rare these days and almost extinct these days among professional athletes. It was so good to see it last night. Swimmers from different nations and teams congratulating each other, and almost all the younger gymnasts hugging and congratulating each other at the end. They showed respect to each other, to the teams, to the countries, and to the games. What a pity it is so rare that it elicits this type of commentary and discussion. What a pity national respect, like the young man the other night who took off his crown and held it over his heart as his flag went up or the almost unconscious singing of the national anthem last night by Ms. Patterson, is noted as the exception and not the norm. What a pleasure it was to see it so widespread among so many of the younger athletes. There is indeed cause for hope in these younger athletes, for the games, and most of all for the concepts of respect and sportsmanship. That is well worth celebrating at these games.

LW