Surfing safari 08/05/08
Deadly attack in Western China kills 16 just days before the Olympics. Meanwhile, smog and pollution are back to rule in Beijing. Why does it seem as if these Olympics just don’t have anything close to a good feel? Are we the only ones getting this vibe. Dirty air, now an attack, and the Games haven’t even started. Wonder how the Peacock will work this into the coverage of the pageantry of the opening ceremony. Also, has anyone noticed that there isn’t any sort of big special to preview the Games, anywhere, on television? Like giving people a clue as to who is who and what to look for in Beijing? Why bother, because people will probably be more into Brett Favre, the Yankees and Red Sox. The sports world has changed. It doesn’t stop for the Olympics, anymore. Even the PGA is having a major this weekend. Can’t imagine they didn’t realize they would be heads-up with the Olympics when planning the schedule many moons ago.
Just checked on Ebay. There are 554 auctions for Olympic tickets. There are 1533 items up for Manny Ramirez and 2257 for Yankee tickets. Sure, who is going to go Beijing. Just saying…
Off Big Brown’s unimpressive Haskell win, trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. decides to mouth off about 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin. In this case, it is easy to talk a big game, knowing that Curlin’s connections don’t want to run on the poly surface this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic will be held on in California. Will he ever learn?
Florida International looks to build a football program.
Boston Globe looks at Manny v. Jason, Weekend One, in a photo gallery.
New York Times looks at a SportsCenter Special that was anything but special.
Rams RB Steve Jackson flirts with losing a year toward free agency with holdout.
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I have friends who say the best way to send a message to the sponsors who’ve chosen to do business with China is by refusing to watch the Olympics. But I’m a sports fan. And much like the World Cup, this is an event I only get to witness every four years. The Olympic moments will linger for generations — as will the political ones. Those who remember ‘72 recall the hostage catastrophe as vividly as Mark Spitz’s eight gold medals. I’m glad I was watching. In fact, for those who oppose Chinese policies on Tibet and Darfur, the Beijing Olympics provide an opportunity to bring attention to their cause. Was China a poor choice? Maybe. But the reality is that our athletes are going there, and I’ll be watching.