Have The Olympics Lost It?
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Olympics are back. Wake me when they are over! NBC has already started the games off by not carrying the opening ceremonies live apparently because they say more women than men watch the Olympics and they are more concerned with the journey than the results and the 8 p.m. eastern schedule suits their viewing time.
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I used to watch the Olympics when we were competing against the Soviet Union.
I also liked the fact that by and large Olympic athletes were true amateurs. I followed Bruce Jenner's decathlon win, the USA basketball teams, Flo Jo becoming the fastest woman in the world, Greg Louganis winning the diving competition after hitting his head on the board, Mary Lou Retton dominating gymnastics and dozens of other memorable moments.
I think part of the problem is that we are no longer seeing the athletes as amateurs.
I liked seeing the Dream Team in Barcelona but I'd rather see amateur players comprise our basketball teams. The same goes for wrestlers, sprinters, and javelin throwers.
Part of the allure of the Olympics was at least the perception of amateur sacrifice resulting in big moments every four years.
Another change is that events like track and field, swimming, boxing and others don't have large fan bases. It will be interesting to see if the US Women's Soccer team draws because they do seem to have a large following.
In the past, I felt compelled to watch events like the Olympics because we'd probably talk about it together. I don't sense that this time.
I think any Olympic talk this time will center on the Zika virus, the Third World atmosphere of Rio and related deficiencies.
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The biggest saving grace in Olympic talk is that many athletes still talk about the thrill about competing with USA on your uniform. These statements give me some hope that there might be some moments that are worth watching.
I want moments that make us all feel proud.
These Olympic games will not earn a gold medal. I hope they'll at least get a bronze.
