Trick or Treat

Defintely a trick today, what with the acceptance (almost unanimously, 5 are yet to vote) on the Olympic Truce resolution that was introduced today at the United Nations. I wonder what is to come afterward?

I don't think it should take a resolution every four years to stop conflict. How about making it a part of our daily lives?

Short. Sweet. And to the point today.

Not all doom and gloom

Regular readers of this blog know the IOC is getting hammered---pretty good. But it's not all doom and gloom. There ARE people there who are getting it right.

Giselle Davies for example.

She is the Communications Director and sure does have her hands full. I once told her she is my role model for objectionable situations. I've seen her deal with uppity press people with style and grace. I once told her that a nuclear bomb could go off at an IOC Session and she still would be the cool, calm and collected person she is.

Her previous experience was doing time with Formula One. Now there are major egos there without a doubt. I knew a guy that did F1 reporting for a number of years and I think those types gravitate to the testosterone-filled world of international auto racing since it is a glamorous scene. (As a side note, I don't understand the former F1 drivers jumping ship to NASCAR. What's with that?)

I am a classic Leo. I will be the first to admit I have a loud mouth. But since I have had the change to talk to her and observe her, I have given a think and said to myself "how would Giselle handle this situation?" Before I would just verbally mow you down and be done with it. Of course, I am no pushover---if someone is taking advantage of me (such as my writing being ripped off several weeks ago), I will speak up---and loudly.

I've seen her handle some very tough situations. And most important...she doesn't back off of the tough questions that have been tossed at her. Unlike some of her cohorts.

Perhaps they would best learn from her? I know I have, and I have been thankful and all the better for it.

Rogge's US visit this week---will anything change?

Jacques Rogge is scheduled to visit Chicago and New York City this week. While in NY, he will visit the United Nations where there will be a BOCOG presented traditional proposal for an Olympic Truce during the 2008 Games.

What's wrong with this picture? Plenty.

If you've watched the news lately, we've seen a lot of info on what has been going on in Tibet recently. No truce there, what with people getting shot and violence from the ruling military being the order of the day.

I see irony in all this. It's the old "don't do as I am do as I say" or something similar. It's OK to spill blood and guts back home but when it is on an international scale, let's present a more civilised approach to the world.

It won't work.

Perhaps BOCOG should go back to 2001 and make a commitment to the promises they made that day in Moscow. Withdraw their illegal occupation of Tibet. Stop harassing Taiwan. In other words, be true to their words that they spoke that day.

Then maybe their proposal for an Olympic Truce will mean something. But for now, it's just empty words on paper, while the killing and intimidation still happens back in their homelands.

And that is something President Rogge shouldn't have to tolerate---but he does.

I've said it before and I will say it again: it's time for change and it's time for Rogge to go. Then perhaps the Olympic Truce will have teeth to those words, because we then will have an IOC President who backs it up 100%.

We're taking some time off for vacation!

Back on Monday!

Let's get ready to rumble!

In this corner: Dick Pound, outgoing WADA President.

In the opposite corner: Juan Antionio Samaranch, clueless-about-drugs-in-sport ex-IOC President.

It was no-contest: Pound won this one.

He's accusing Juan Antonio in an article in yesterday's Daily Telegraph about being clueless about drugs in sport, citing the Marion Jones case, which as a result has put a black mark on the IOC and world opinion of the IOC not being taken seriously about this issue.

Juan Antonio's solution to the drugs problem: ignore it and it will go away.

Thank goodness Richard has laid it on the line this time with him. Too bad old Juan didn't take the bull by the horns when this problem first started...maybe today we wouldn't be dealing with Marion Jones, the issues of who her medals go to and what to do with her teammates medals.

This is an issue that has the potential to destroy the IOC. Most of us have known friends or co-workers who have had problems with drugs at some point in their lives. Or had friends-of-friends who went to rehab. Or were arrested and spent some time in jail. Those are the cases you don't hear about. But when it is on an international scale, the problem is amplified and there is closer scrutiny. All the more reason to get it taken care of now.

I've got a solution: throw JAS out of the IOC, and replace him with someone who cares. We all thought in 2001 at Moscow he would stay retired and the issues that have plagued the IOC during his tenue would finally be dealt with. Fat chance. He's still there.

And until Samaranch's interference stops, Richard is going to have a huge challenge on his hands, as those of us who's job it is to highlight the issues that come with drugs and how they relate to the Olympics.

Let's make Richard's job easier.

Crescendo, anyone?

Who's reading?

I know my friends are. Colleagues too, including one very nice lady who sent me an email right at the beginning and said she "is looking forward to reading more." That is the kind of support I like.

There's also some reading that I wish wouldn't---including one who took a chunk of what I wrote and passed it off as their own. That isn't nice.

I suppose it happens to all of us at some time or another. I would not have minded if this person had properly credited me as the original author. Except for a few words here and there, it was almost identical to a section I wrote a couple of weeks ago.

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

That isn't nice. Remember what I said at the beginning? There is room for everyone.

Play nice---I don't like to get ripped off.

Don't do it again.

Could someone tell me why people feel the need to do this? I am trying to understand it all.

Maybe there is someone out there that can enlighten me---and the person who felt they had the liberty to lift my material as their own.

A Clean Team in 2008?

The IOC has "vowed" to send a so-called "clean team" to Beijing in 2008.

Don't count on that happening. From what I am hearing, it may be the biggest year for drug scandals and drug cheats in a long time. I personally am not hopeful.

We've heard this talk before. Heard the same talk right before the Atlanta Games. Talked to a buddy of mine that was working Doping Control and he had two words for me: "We're busy!"

Remember the five Bulgarian weightlifters who succesfully challenged their results from 1996 (and subsequently kept their medals.) Same talk...that this was going to be the cleanest Games ever, and look what it got us. Absolutely nothing.

Don't count on the Mainland Chinese to help us. They are too busy sending tainted products to the US. Wouldn't be surprised when 2008 rolls around if they try that strategy to taint our athletes (unknowingly, of course.)

I wish the USOC and IOC well in this fight. Hopefully, it will come to fruition.

But I will believe it when I see it.

Friday's Random Thoughts

I took it real easy this week. Probably too easy...I was in the gym only once this week. I hope my trainer isn't reading this! Rick will you forgive me?!?! Actually, I have a good excuse, with several meetings and running all sorts of errands. I know that is no excuse, but my mantra for next week is to do better!



Boo to my cable company for starting NHL Center Ice ONE MONTH LATE this year. They did the same thing when baseball season started; MLB Extra Innings also was one month late. There's nothing like this upset sport fan. Go Red Wings!

We've got neighbor pitted against neighbor in regards to water issues in our subdivision. I am on the board and trying to keep things cool. It's a challenge. Is this happening where you are?

I am proud to say I have NEVER watched an episode of American Idol.

Can't decide if I want to cook this year for Thanksgiving. The recepies in the November issue of Good Houskeeping look really good. I also subscribe to the UK edition of GH and we had an Anglo-American holiday last year. Little did I know...

The situation with Ellen DeGeneres and the dog is really sad. The kids in that house will remember this incident the rest of their lives. Kids just love pets. Why couldn't there have been some flexibility in this issue by the adoption agency?

A good site for clothes is www.netaporter.com---they will overnight deliveries to your residence and I have been pleased with the purchases from them so far. Their sale section has great bargains!

I just love that new show TMZ. Anytime Harvey Levin is guest-hosting Larry King Live, I make it a point to watch. Harvey should have his own talk show (or replace Larry who is a dinasaur.)

If the Cleveland Indians get to the World Series, I am counting on an email from a buddy up there saying "I told you so!"

I am not nervous yet about friends that will be going to Beijing next year. Check back with me in about six months.

Can anyone figure out this Britney mess? You need a scorecard!



You know where to go, come Monday!

Why are people playing it safe?

The reluctance to tackle the hot-button issues in the Olympic world mystifies me. Obviously, if you are coming from a country like China or Venezuela, you probably aren't getting rock 'em-sock 'em reporting. Or you are currently in a dangerous area that wouldn't bode well for that sort of thing. But barring that...

Could it be own personal egos in the way? I know of a few that could apply to. Finances? Certainly, what with budgets for business travel being cut or completely wiped out. Or maybe the audience isn't there? It seems that thud you are hearing is that there hasn't been for the past several years any issue that got people worked up. But that might change in the run-up to Beijing. Or maybe your hand is in the candy jar so far, you can't pull it out? Wouldn't be surprised on that score.

I see so many opportunities going to waste all because someone doesn't want to take a change on offending someone, or taking a stand. Sometimes you have to lay it all on the line and go for broke. There's a risk in that you will fall flat on your face, but OTOH, it just takes one question, one story, one opportunity for our readers (and bosses and co-workers, if we have them) to sit up and take notice.

So for the rest of the year, can we check our egos at the door and get down to serious reporting? Our audiences will thank us for it. And the issues of "playing it safe" will be relegated to that car insurance company and not the newsroom.

Just Some Little Things

Just a few items (short ones) that I would like to see the IOC tackle in the upcoming months:



1. Address the issues that were brought up by Reporters Without Borders in Lausanne this week. They unfurled a banner with handcuffs in the shape of the Olympic rings. I have done work with these people before and they are good folks. The IOC says they don't want to get into politics. I say there are lives on the line.

2. Ensure a place for Richard Pound in the IOC hierarchy after his term as head of WADA ends in December. He's a good egg---and keeps the IOC honest.

3. QUICKLY resolve the issue of Marion Jones' teammates' medals. I could see this dragging on for years.

4. Embrace more of the "new media" forms. The IOC is on the right track, but they need to speed things up.

5. Get real about BALCO---and what athletes are involved. Enough already!

6. Require all athletes to stay in the Olympic Village. It's a matter of safety, as well as security and giving a cohesive look to the Games. If you can't give up your luxury hotel for several weeks, you have no business being in the Olympics.

7. While on the subject of media freedom, allow the athletes to publish their blogs. That should be the last thing the IOC should be worrying about during a Games.



Just a few things, that would make it more pleasant for everyone.

Should the USOC move?

For the residents of Colorado Springs, Colorado, that whooshing sound you hear might be the moving trucks, if the USOC can't come to an agreement to stay in your city.

Frankly, I am surprised at the timing of their desires to look for new space. And, (ho ho) if reports are to be believed, Chicago is being touted as one of the places under consideration for their new HQ. Hmmm, aren't they bidding for something?

I just think the timing of this is suspect, what with Copenhagen coming up in 2009, and the possibility that Chicago officials could use a possible USOC move as an unfair advantage to their bid in case it does come to fruition that they move there.

There are so much more pressing issues for the USOC to be dealing with now. Doping. Marion Jones. The safety of athletes (and journalists!) in 2008. The results from Sydney being thrown into disarray. A new HQ should be the last thing on the totem pole.

Their desire for a new HQ shows that their priorities are in the wrong order. Concentrate on keeping (and retaining) what you have, deal with your pressing issues first, and then re-evaluate and if the situation warrants, then start looking elsewhere.

But don't use it to give a bid city an unfair advantage. We don't want another SLC situation on the books again.

Otherwise, you may have more on your hands than you realised, and it will be quite difficult to clean it off.

The disappearing Olympic sponsors

Wave and say bye-bye to Kodak, after 2008.

Remember Northwestern Mutual Life ("The Quiet Company People Have Been Talking About For Over 100 Years") used to be a long time sponsor and they haven't been involved with the Games for years.

I wonder who will be the next long-term sponsor to say sayanara. See ya. Goodbye. We're outta here.

It wouldn't surprise me in the least if we see another major company pull out within the next several years. Maybe one of the top-tier sponsors. Don't think it could happen? Think again---it's called economics.

Changing trends in the photographic world were cited for Kodak's reasons. But I wonder if the recent Marion Jones revelations aren't giving some sponsors reason to reflect. Companies are very image conscious nowadays. Even the hint of scandal is enough to send a corporate relationship down the drain. One only has to look at the situation with Kate Moss the model and as soon as a UK paper labeled her "Cocaine Kate", companies such as Burberry and H & M dropped her as a spokesperson for their fashion lines.

I am not saying if we hear another story of one more dirty athlete, it's all over. But more than damage control is needed. There are more "Marion Jones"'s that are out there, poised to do damage to an institution that has been around for over 100 years.

You've GOT to protect your bottom line. For the people who rely on you every four years: the athletes, the advertisers, the host countries, and to the kids that look up to these folks. Like it or not, when you are a public figure, you are a role model. If you don't want the responsibility, then your local burger joint is hiring.

Protect and retain the sponsors and you will have accomplished a major step in the preservation of the Olympics, for all concerned.

Friday's Random Thoughts

Well, we all made it through another week. I could have done without the migraine headache that I had for several days.



I am hooked on that new show called "Pageant Place" on MTV. Many years ago, (too many!) a co-worker said to me "Maryanne, aren't you too old to be watching MTV?" Gah.


I never miss watching "Real Time with Bill Maher" on HBO. He tells it like it is. Remember when he was fired from ABC? The joke's now on them.


Winter's almost here and already I am getting cabin fever. Itching to get my feet on a beach somewhere. Maybe back to the Caribbean.


Being a widow stinks. But I said to a friend of mine that if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't have done anything differently. The 3 1/2 years I was married was the best years of my life. Being a caregiver is the toughest job you will ever love.


It didn't take barely a month and the first verbal brick was hurled through the window in regards to this blog. Just what is it with people? 99% of the feedback I have received has been positive. I don't mind constructive criticism, but the comment about my character was just plain mean. Bite me. (And be grateful that I have not mentioned who you are.)


I had the leafs and debris blown off my roof this week. The company has worked for me before and is very careful. But I am still nervous about workers getting up there---no matter how much insurance they (or I) have. You too?


One thing I am grateful for is that I don't have a major Starbucks habit. Their coffee is way too strong for me. I was at a Starbucks last week and I was jacked for hours on just one cup of latte.


Another school shooting happened in Cleveland, Ohio. Back when I was in high school, the worst thing that could happen was that a student would get caught with a pack of cigarettes or a bottle of Boone's Farm. That now seems tame compared to what we've seen on the news lately.




We're back on Monday for more fun and games!

Chicago, we have a problem

300 runners with various ailments. One runner dead. Complaints about lack of water.

A receipe for disaster.

Publically, bid officials say it isn't going to affect their strategy and they say it isn't going to affect their chances.

I beg to differ.

Hawken back to 2001, and Toronto's bid. Remember Mel Lastman, and his infamous comments? Similar situation. Yes, lives wern't at stake, but public comments by their bid officials said everything was on track. After China won, the stance was still the same. And the media were after the one comment that would solidfy what a lot of us were thinking.

John Bitove, Jr. who was the head of their delegation was very gracious in the loss. He said it "was China's to win" and I couldn't help but wonder if there was something else he wanted to say to somebody but couldn't.

I see him coming down the steps and he makes a beeline right for me. He whispers in my ear that "the Mayor's comments hurt us", gave me a hug and walked away, shooing a hoard of media in his wake, hanging his head down, totally broken in spirit.

Of course, people were wondering "what did he say to you?" He and I had some small conversations during that week, and I think he felt comfortable in my presence, versus some other media people and thus, little tidbits would come out, that other people were scrambling for.

Chicago would bode well to do some major damage control---but it may already be too late. Their excuse is that the runners who got sick and the one who died wern't "elite" runners that would be in the Olympics if it was held there. That's a load of bull.

They were human beings who deserved every guarentee of safety as does a so-called "world class" runner. I worked the Peachtree Road Race for 17 years where there was both a mix of professional and "weekend warriors." We were trained to deal with any medical emergency exactly the same without regard for a runner's status. It's scary to think the participants up in Chicago were considered expendable by their race officals.

I can't get over the denial these people are in. It would be much better for them if they tackled this situation head-on---instead of sticking their heads in the sand and pretending there isn't a problem.

You can bet the USOC and IOC privately are saying there is a problem, that better be fixed before Copenhagen.

Before someone fixes it for them.

Munich's possible Winter Olympics bid---and why it's a bad idea

Some things are such bad ideas, I don't know how they even come to fruition.

File this one under "what are they thinking?"

This one's a stinker.

There is going to be a decision made sometime in December as to wheather or not Munich will put itself forward as a candidate city for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. Local officials have already put up a high six-figure amount of money to study the feasbility of such a bid. It's roughly the equivelent of USD $700,000.

The German NOC must have a really short memory as to what happened when their country last hosted the Olympics.

This is really a sore point with me. As someone who knew one of the relatives who's cousin was murdered, I find it highly offensive that the German NOC can just go on it's merry way and act as if nothing has happened. They haven't cleaned up the mess from 1972 and in no way, shape or form even deserve to bid for ANY Olympics, Winter, Summer or Youth.

Germany needs to come clean about what really happened that fateful day. And just who else was involved besides Arafat's robbing crew. He had help, and he wasn't alone.

I've lived with this story for 35 years. Eaten, breathed, watched. If something was written about Munich, chances are I've read it. This time, it's personal.

Germany, you can run, but this time you won't be able to hide.

I guarentee it.

Don't punish the innocent

The IOC had a message on Tuesday for Marion Jones' relay mates on the medal winning 4 x 400 and 4 x 100 relay teams: turn 'em in.

The fallout continues...it looks like the IOC will ask for the medals back from her teammates---the thinking being, if one medal is tainted, then they all are.

I have a problem with that.

It's a little something called "due process." Her fellow relayers aren't getting that. One of the people that ran with Marion is a university administrator and is mad as blazes.

There are innocent victims of Marion's lying. By all accounts, they ran clean. It isn't fair to them that they are presumed guilty, all because one person decided that they could bend the rules, and thinking she could get away with it.

Everyone wants heads to roll. But we're all forgetting one thing: there ARE athletes who compete clean, who have trained for years for this one moment, and now are caught in a situation they had no knowledge or control over. Shouldn't their rights be preserved? Not everyone is tainted, but according to the USOC and IOC, they all are if they ran with Marion.

Let's step back, take a deep breath, and do this the right way. The aftermath could be a lot more damaging in years to come versus one dirty athlete who thought the rules didn't apply to her.

I am not defending Marion or what she did. But the USA's reputation in international athletics is on the line here, and that will still be around, many years after Marion is long gone on the scene.

USOC to Marion Jones: we got the medals, now we want the money

According to a report in Around the Rings, an attorney for Marion Jones voluntarily surrendered the medals to a United States Olympic Committee representative in Austin, Texas (where Marion lives.) Next up according to various sources: going after the $100,000 in bonus money that was paid.

My message to the USOC: good luck trying to get it.

By her own admission, she is broke, with less than $2000 in the bank. It's going to be a tough go. I used to do collections myself for seven years for MasterCard and Visa years ago. I saw some pretty weird things in the credit business. Many times, I would hear "you can't get blood from a turnip", which many times, followed a letter from an attorney saying my debtor had filed bankruptcy.

The IOC, in a statement to me said: "This is a sad day for sport. The only good that can be drawn from (today's) revelations is that her decision to finally admit the truth will play we hope, a key part in breaking the back of the Balco affair. The IOC has since 2004 wanted to ascertain the extent to which the case has had an impact on the Olympic Games. Our disciplinary commission, which has been working on this file over the past years, will now glean now what it can from her comments, and work with the IAAF and the USOC on how to finally get to the bottom of this sorry case."

What Marion did was wrong, no doubt about it. But for her to turn the equivalent of "state's evidence" and roll on other athletes is going to take a huge amount of "give" from the USOC and IOC. Marion can be a valuable resource, especially in terms of what she knows about Balco. But it's not going to happen unless she's offered a deal.

I am not saying she should escape punishment. But the value of what she knows is far greater than $100,000 and she's going to want something out of this before she talks.

Deal...or no deal?

Friday's Random Thoughts

The end of another week. Hope yours was as productive as mine was. AND, finally, some much needed rain!



Hockey season has resumed---go Thrashers and Red Wings.

Since the Braves are out of the playoffs, I'm pulling for the Phillies to go all the way and win the World Series.

Another passenger on a Southwest Airlines flight was told to change his clothing or get off the plane. The guy was wearing a t-shirt that said "Master Baiter." What is the problem with Southwest? Especially after it's president emailed employees a SECOND time reminding them they don't have a passenger dress code. Go fish.

Just what was it with people this week (both in-person and on line.) Did the Cranky Gene Store suddenly have a major expansion? As the Queen would say, I am not amused.(Nor am I impressed.)

Greetings to the CANADIANS who are reading me---thanks for the support! It's much appreciated!

The Simply Vera Vera Wang clothes that are at Kohl's---I'm getting some! My favorite is the purple skirt that is featured in the November issue of Glamour.

I am saving time (and frayed nerves!) by doing all my Christmas shopping on-line this year. To heck with the malls.



We're back on Monday! Have a great weekend.

Marion Jones: What Happened?

I'm speechless.

Never in a million years did I think she was involved.

Now she stands to lose 5 medals she won in Sydney.

If you've seen the news today, there's a good chance you heard Marion Jones admit to using performance enhancing steriods and lying to a federal grand jury. She stands to get up to one year in jail on the charges stemming from the Feds.

In the 7 years since I have been commenting on various issues regarding the IOC and the Olympics, never did I hear anything that would implicate Marion even getting near doping. I heard plenty about the ex-husband. Marion was the last person I would have suspected of such a thing.

What should be her punishment? Certainly the Feds will have something to say and I am sure some kind of jail time is in her future. As to the medals, she should do the right thing and voluntarily surrender them to the IOC so they can be awarded to the second-place finisher in Marion's events.

I wonder how many other "squeaky clean" Olympic athletes are hiding deep dark doping demons from the world.

Why, Marion, why?

Romney Redux---and why you don't want him to be your next President

Mitt Romney scares me. Really, he does. I grew up in Michigan, where his dad George, had several successful terms as governor of Michigan and sadly, his political career went down in flames when he made the infamous "brainwashing" comment on the Lou Gordon Show (local Detroit talk show in the 1960s.) His Mormom religion didn't even enter into his politics and it wasn't until I was an adult, did I know he practiced that religion, as his policies were devoid of any faith-based initiatives, that are so common in today's politicians.

Sadly, his son doesn't share the same values. His term as the head of the Salt Lake Organising Committee and it's subsequent scandals put a black mark on what could have been a great Winter Games. In my dealings, with SLOC, I said to my Aunt one day: "never again!"

I guess it was SLOC's legacy of discrimination that turned me off. One of their personnel representatives said to me that she "couldn't understand why I hadn't had an offer for a job interview" despite my application being looked at over 30 times. They said it was because I "didn't have a local Salt Lake City address." Never mind that I offered to pay for my accomodation and transportation to the interview myself---there would be no out-of-pocket expense to SLOC. No deal, they said. Didn't matter to them that I had x number of years experience, including (at the time) 10 years being successfully self-employed. The message was clear.

One of the strange things I found out was that there was an increase in the amount of applications for Salt Lake City post office boxes. The local PO's went wild---they loved the extra business but it was quite a head-scratcher for them as to why there was all of a sudden demand for these items. Then SLOC got smart---and started checking addresses more carefully.

I've never had a potential employer or client make issue of where I lived. Mostly, it was "can you get to work on time?" I could have lived in a hut in Timbuktu for all they cared so as long as I showed up on time and got the job done on budget.

Now he's wreaked havoc in Massachusetts, doing the same in as in SLC, and now he wants to take this to the nation.

Over my expired IOC and Olympic creditial badges.

My Aunt (who has nothing to do with sports but has a great sense of philosophy) said to me at the time that maybe it "was a blessing in disguise. Maybe you would have uncovered something that they didn't want you to know that would have embarassed them."

The SLOC scandal hadn't even been whispered about at that time.

I think back to that whole time and realise how silly it all was. How everyone was out for themselves and for what they could get. Tom Welch and Dave Johnson esentially got off scot-free with SLOC's insurers paying their legal fees. The bribes, gifts, free trips, college tuitions, it goes on and on.

Now Mitt Romney wants to unleash his policies on the nation. Look what he's done in Massachusetts. Enacted legislation to require all residents to have health insurance. I don't know about you, but I sure as hell don't want the government telling me how I should pay for my health coverage. I took care of my husband for two years while he battled a cancerous brain tumor. I had enough on my mind. I sure don't need the government to tell me how to pay for it.

We can't let the legacy of corruption and discrimination rear it's ugly head again in the next presidential election. It was already dealt with once, with a varying degree of success in 2002.

We sure don't need eight more years of it in Washington,DC.

They're baaackkk! A Denver 2018 Bid? You've GOT to be joking!

At least that is what I hope the IOC will say if and when the time comes.

The Colorado governor is hoping the IOC won't...if various reports are to be believed, you just might see Denver jump into the race for another Winter Olympics bid.

What's the old saying...something like "fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me" or somthing to that effect.

Denver's voters actually threw out the 1976 Games. Innsbruck, Austria graciously saved the day, and it was one of the most memorable Games ever. Now they want to possibly bid for another Winter Olympics, 31 years after they rejected the bid they actually won.

I once asked an IOC offical about this many years ago. He said it "would be a cold day in h***" before Denver was awarded any Olympics, and that a Denver bid "would be dead in the water" even before it started.

The IOC has quite a l-o-n-g memory for such antics. One of the factors taken into any bid (Summer or Winter) is the degree of financial risk the IOC and the host city would have to assume if the Games were cancelled or postponed or even moved to another area, apart from the original winning bid city. Even with insurance, it's a major factor that bid cities need to address. It took Montreal almost 30 years to pay off their debt from 1976. The IOC is determined not to have such a situation happen again and you can bet the financials will be carefully examined for any bid, because local taxpayers have said enough is enough and many don't even want the Games in their city, let alone the possibility that they will be paying off a debt for years to come. You've got to guage what the populace may think and factor that into wheather or not you will go forward with a bid.

Tell THAT to the fools up in Denver who think they can successfully bid again.

The Gentleman of Mexico City has died

Over the weekend,we lost one of our Olympic greats, when the shot put athlete Al Oerter died over the weekend in Florida. It was rumored that he suffered from heart problems and other health issues for many years. Besides being a great athlete, he was also a very successful abstract artist.

Al was of the old school. Someone who knew the responsibility of being an Olympic athete, and a role model to others, long after his competition days were over. This was in sharp contract to his teammates Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who tarnished their medals with the infamous raised fist actions on the medal stand and in 1998, being honored (?!?!?!) on the 30th annivesary of their actions.

The death of Al got me to thinking that maybe we should rethink just who we allow to compete. Perhaps it's time to go back to what the Olympics originally were for, the amateur athlete, and not the pros we see dominating the Games now.

It certainly would be a step in the right direction and just maybe, cut down on some of the issues that seem to crop up around every Olympic year.

You hear a lot about cities' "Olympic Legacy" as part of their bid documents. It's an important issue that the IOC takes into consideration on who to award the Games to.

But this Legacy doesn't take a bid, or an IOC Commission visit to enact--it just takes one person.

Besides, if you don't believe in something, you'll fall for anything.