I love every sport in the Summer Olympics, but I don’t watch them any longer. Even before I was a teenager I was excited when the Olympics came every four years; summer and winter. I read about many of the athletes who would be competing, not only from the United States, but from around the world. This was the ultimate amateur competition.
Because basketball was my personal favorite sport, I couldn’t wait for the games to begin. I had watched or knew about the college seniors who would proudly represent their country. The United States was always expected to win. I especially remember the 1964 team. It was the year I graduated from high school, and the team was composed of some of my favorite players including Bill Bradley, Walt Hazzard, Luke Jackson, and Jeff Mullins. They defeated the Soviet Union in the final game 73-59.
In 1960 I had been privileged to watch Cassius Marcellus Clay win the gold medal in the light heavyweight boxing division; he would later be known as Muhammad Ali.
In 1968 I saw a truly super-human effort. The ‘long jump,’ still called the ‘broad jump’ in 1968, was not expected to be dramatic; the altitude in Mexico City was not conducive to great distances. Bob Beamon didn’t seem to notice. He shattered the world record at 29 feet, 2½ inches. It was not broken until 1991 when Mike Powell added two inches to Beamon’s jump.
The Summer Olympics of today is not an event for amateurs only. Basketball, tennis, and now golf are played by professional athletes. I have no interest in watching millionaires stand on a stage wearing gold medals. Even the soccer teams are paid athletes. This is of no interest for me.
I enjoyed the competition and the effort of collegiate athletes who were truly excited to have a chance to display their talents on the court, field, or in the arena. Today there are few questions as to the outcome of far too many events.
If I chose to watch the events in Rio, it would only be to see the track and field events and gymnastics; nothing else is of much interest.
Sadly, this is one we can blame on the Russians. When it was revealed that the reason they dominated ice hockey was because their team was composed of members of the military and paid to play hockey, the rules were changed.
In 1992 professional basketball players replaced college seniors. The games became all about winning. National pride replaced all athletic competition.
The first “Dream Team” was composed of Scottie Pippen, Christian Laettner, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, Karl Malone, Charles Barkley. Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Chris Mullin, Clyde Drexler, and John Stockton. To be honest, it was boring. No other team had the slightest chance of defeating some of the best players in history.
For me, the Summer Olympics of the 21st century is a sad event. It has taken away the original intent of the games. Why should professional athletes receive honors which should be reserved for amateur athletes?
I have a personal complaint. The event is on NBC, and some of my favorite shows have been preempted. Thank God there’s Netflix, and Prime Television.
Op-Ed
By James Turnage
Photo Courtesy of Bryan Allison
The Truth With No Restrictions 