Olympic Athletes Aren't What They Were

As I was watching the Olympics on TV this weekend it has occurred to me that I just can’t get into them like I used to. When I was young I could watch the games for hours on end and I found the competition to be fascinating. Back then, or so it seemed, I could identify at least in some way with all of the sports that were televised. I vividly remember some of the epic battles in boxing, gymnastics, track and field and even swimming.

The athletes back then were true amateurs and there were many compelling behind the scenes stories. For some reason it just doesn’t seem the same anymore. Many of the athletes, although technically amateurs, are already multi-millionaires from the various endorsements that they have received. In addition, the networks now feel obligated to televise events that I have absolutely no interest in. I’m sure these are important to the athletes and their families but I simply have no interest whatsoever inwatching equestrian, kayaking or water polo.
I also miss some of the old-time TV personalities. Jim McKay, a local Marylander who recently passed away, was as much a part of the Olympics as any of the athletes. I can still remember him hosting the games from Munich in 1972 when the Israeli athletes were kidnapped and murdered. It was a horrible event but Jim McKay brought it into our living rooms and became almost part of our family. There’s still a local connection for me this year however. Michael Phelps, just maybe the most dominant athlete in the world, is a local kid from Baltimore as is his female counterpart; Katie Hoff. I’m not a big swimming fan but I’ll certainly be following these two.

I’ll still watch, and I’m sure that there will be some compelling story lines to follow. Some of these athletes work so hard and overcome so many obstacles to get where they are that you can’t help but respect them. It’s just that the innocence and simplicity of the games of my youth seems to be gone forever. I guess I’m getting older. And I guess that maybe it was never as simple and innocent as I remembered anyway.