Winter Olympics and idealism

slugboy

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When we look at the NCAA, we're presented with ideals like amateurism and love of the game, while there are brazen plays for money and corrupt dealings all around. The Olympics and FIFA may be worse--the amount of self-dealing in the Olympics can be nauseating.

You do get stories like this one, where you can admire the individual effort in the midst of everything else: https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...ia-return-reminder-olympics-worth/6764453001/. Goggia's individual striving for excellence doesn't cleanse the naked corruption of the Olympic committee members or some of the national federations involved, but it's still possible to admire and celebrate the work and grit she applied to compete.

I doubt that we can get back to an age where the games were clean--either in the NCAAs or FIFA or the Olympics. Looking back at the 50's, 60's, and 70's, they were all tainted back then. Maybe the focus is better applied to keeping our own individuality and grit and personal excellence.
 
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