I don't carry a torch for the Olympics

As I write this, there is wall-to-wall coverage of the Olympic Torch Relay in San Francisco. I tuned in to see what happens, given the protests that have happened so far.
While watching, I thought of what it would be like to see the Olympic torch pass before me. Then it hit me: I have. It was in Santa Clara on El Camino Real. I can't recall the year or any details. To say it was a thrilling event would be an overstatement.

As a kid I thought the Olympics were kind of neat. I don't know if it's me that's changed or the games themselves. I will never forget the 1972 Munich massacre and wondering if this was "normal". The Miracle on Ice was great. I watched parts of the LA Olympics from my hotel room in Hawaii. I thought it was kind of cool to have met some competitors over the years, including one who was my high school teacher.

I recognize the need for corporate sponsorship but that's turned me off. Seeing the Olympic rings on anything makes me think of CEO's figuring an Olympic sponsorship will boost the sale of Big Macs by 12%. There's also the bribery scandal of the Salt Lake City games. I wasn't surprised. Only surprised that anyone was caught.

And while I've always suspected the other countries of not playing fair by using professional athletes, I am now skeptical of the USA's commitment to that goal. I know we've had pro basketball and baseball players competing, but it seems most of the athletes are not "normal" people in the sense that they take the bus to practice after school.

The Olympics always seemed to me as a place where normal people do extraordinary things. And while I can understand nurturing talent, the emphasis placed on competing (and winning) over having a life makes me shake my head. I won't get into the steroids/doping issues.

I never had dreams of competing but it would be nice to think that I could have, if I had the talent and drive. But how many families can move so their kid is closer to a better ski area? I know neither of my parents could have given up a job so they could drive me to curling practice at 4 am.

Competing in the Olympics is a privilege. And it seems to take privilege as well.

So don't look for my name on any lists of Olympic participants. As for setting my VCR and watching, I won't be playing that game, either.