As reported by Around the Rings, NBC Olympics president Dick Ebersol has made a comment in regards to Bode Miller. "He's the greatest American skier of all time. He's certainly entitled to his opinions."
In case for review: Bode is the guy who was criticised for his excessive partying during the Turin Olympics and failing to medal. He also boasted about "skiing drunk" during some of his competitions.
Bode is not the greatest of all time. True sports stars know of their responsibility to the community and of the example they must set once they make the Olympic team. I would be personally happy if Bode would just shrink and go away. He's a poor example of what an Olympian should be.
Let's not make Bode into a hero. He's far from it, and there are so many others that deserve our recognition more.
The Olympics celebrate heroes-and not losers like Miller who think the world revolves around them and their irresponsible actions both off and on the piste.
Friday, March 27, 2009
That pesky revenue sharing dispute
The talk here in Denver all week has been about the revenue sharing dispute between the USOC and the IOC. The USOC wants to tear up the existing contracts claiming that when they were signed, the economic climate was not as challenging as we are experiencing today. In all of the "he said she said" of this dispute, one fact has been easily forgotten by both parties: both sides signed a legally-binding contract.
A new contract is expected to be signed this week. But I think it sets a dangerous precedent. What if say a bid city that won the Olympics didn't like it's host city contract they signed, went to the IOC and said they wanted the terms renegotiated and if they didn't get their way, they would leave the IOC on the hook for millions, possibly billions of dollars?
I am really uncomfortable with this, only because this could go beyond revenue sharing and seep into other areas related to Olympic bid management and host city operations.
It will be interesting to see in the runup to Copenhagen what other issues come up that have been raised by this simmering dispute that has exploded into some ugly words between both parties.
As the saying goes, be careful what you wish for. It could be more than you can handle.
A new contract is expected to be signed this week. But I think it sets a dangerous precedent. What if say a bid city that won the Olympics didn't like it's host city contract they signed, went to the IOC and said they wanted the terms renegotiated and if they didn't get their way, they would leave the IOC on the hook for millions, possibly billions of dollars?
I am really uncomfortable with this, only because this could go beyond revenue sharing and seep into other areas related to Olympic bid management and host city operations.
It will be interesting to see in the runup to Copenhagen what other issues come up that have been raised by this simmering dispute that has exploded into some ugly words between both parties.
As the saying goes, be careful what you wish for. It could be more than you can handle.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Tokyo talk back
By all accounts, Tokyo is leading the points race to be elected the city to host the 2016 Olympics. You look at any survey and they have clearly overtaken Chicago and it looks to stay that way. Of course, anything can happen between now and October, but if they stay the course, victory is theirs in Copenhagen.
It's really amazing to see now the loyalties coming out. It's mid-week at Sport Accord and patterns are starting to emerge. People have asked me which bid I will endorse and that will be mentioned on this blog at the end of the week.
There are some here who don't have an appreciation of Tokyo's cultural heritage, history and uniqueness. Granted, I have never been there, but in talking to some of my Japanese friends here, it is clear they have an advantage that the other bid cities don't.
A heart for one.
A real desire to welcome the world in 2016. After all, they did it once before, in 1964 which brought the world storied Olympic performances that are still talked about today.
Every bid and Olympic city has it's seedy side. Gosh knows Atlanta sure did. But no one forces you to go into a so-called "gentelman's club" or order that porn movie in your hotel room. Hell, the Hyatt has adult movies that would make Larry Flynt blush.
Let's not be pushing our moral judgements on what people do in their private lives. It's none of anyone's damm business.
Otherwise, I will paraphrase a popular credit card commercial: what's in YOUR closet?
It's really amazing to see now the loyalties coming out. It's mid-week at Sport Accord and patterns are starting to emerge. People have asked me which bid I will endorse and that will be mentioned on this blog at the end of the week.
There are some here who don't have an appreciation of Tokyo's cultural heritage, history and uniqueness. Granted, I have never been there, but in talking to some of my Japanese friends here, it is clear they have an advantage that the other bid cities don't.
A heart for one.
A real desire to welcome the world in 2016. After all, they did it once before, in 1964 which brought the world storied Olympic performances that are still talked about today.
Every bid and Olympic city has it's seedy side. Gosh knows Atlanta sure did. But no one forces you to go into a so-called "gentelman's club" or order that porn movie in your hotel room. Hell, the Hyatt has adult movies that would make Larry Flynt blush.
Let's not be pushing our moral judgements on what people do in their private lives. It's none of anyone's damm business.
Otherwise, I will paraphrase a popular credit card commercial: what's in YOUR closet?
A boxer with a heart of gold
Yesterday, I met an extraordinary young lady by the name of Tiffanie Hearn. She's the number one ranked female boxer in the United States, and ranked number three in the world. She has the talent to go all the way and bring home gold-and lots of it- for the USA in 2012. There's only one problem: the IOC won't let her-or any female boxer for that matter compete in the Olympics, because there isn't any Olympic events for them.
Tiffanie told me the story for the men is different: "They get $6000 a month to support their training-and we get nothing."
What's wrong with this picture? Plenty.
Tiffanie says "the men don't have to work because the support is there. We're second-class in the eyes of the IOC. This has got to change."
Big time, I say.
The head of the IBA women's division put it bluntly: it's discrimination and it's got to stop.
We all were discussing how this is 2009 and these issues shouldn't even be coming up. And what will it take to change the minds of the powers that be. The fact that women are still barred from certain Olympic competitions just isn't right. It's time for a change. And that change must come NOW.
So, the favor I ask is for you to see a great boxing talent and as an audience, support Tiffanie's fights, either on TV or in person. We're all she's got.
In this way, maybe we can change some minds---so there is more gold come 2012.
I don't think that is too much to ask, do you?
Tiffanie told me the story for the men is different: "They get $6000 a month to support their training-and we get nothing."
What's wrong with this picture? Plenty.
Tiffanie says "the men don't have to work because the support is there. We're second-class in the eyes of the IOC. This has got to change."
Big time, I say.
The head of the IBA women's division put it bluntly: it's discrimination and it's got to stop.
We all were discussing how this is 2009 and these issues shouldn't even be coming up. And what will it take to change the minds of the powers that be. The fact that women are still barred from certain Olympic competitions just isn't right. It's time for a change. And that change must come NOW.
So, the favor I ask is for you to see a great boxing talent and as an audience, support Tiffanie's fights, either on TV or in person. We're all she's got.
In this way, maybe we can change some minds---so there is more gold come 2012.
I don't think that is too much to ask, do you?
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
On the ropes
Funny when you catch someone not telling the truth how they hem and haw and backtrack. Such was the case with my visit to the Chicago 2016 booth. I spoke with a young lady who will remain anonymous and I told her of my so-far unsatisfactory dealings with them. I said I had one simple question: why doesn't their head of PR (in fact anyone at their organisation) ever return emails?
After a few shifts of the feet, she said that there "had to have been some kind of mistake" and I stopped her right there-there had been no mistake, "especially after I sent you people six or seven emails with no response." I also proceeded to tell her of the story of a friend of mine who didn't start to get his emails returned until a friend of his joined the bid.
She stammered that you didn't have to have a friend on the bid committee to get a response and my parting comments were that I "thought it was extremely rude and that (I) was not impressed."
Left in the dust: one 2016 rep wondering what had hit her.
In all my years on the Olympic scene, I have never even run into such a disorganised, rude, thoughtless group of people as Chicago 2016. May their bid sink without a trace in October-which is exactly what they deserve.
Because you can't treat the written press like dirt-and not expect to suffer the consequences of your actions.
In this case, defeat in Copenhagen come October.
After a few shifts of the feet, she said that there "had to have been some kind of mistake" and I stopped her right there-there had been no mistake, "especially after I sent you people six or seven emails with no response." I also proceeded to tell her of the story of a friend of mine who didn't start to get his emails returned until a friend of his joined the bid.
She stammered that you didn't have to have a friend on the bid committee to get a response and my parting comments were that I "thought it was extremely rude and that (I) was not impressed."
Left in the dust: one 2016 rep wondering what had hit her.
In all my years on the Olympic scene, I have never even run into such a disorganised, rude, thoughtless group of people as Chicago 2016. May their bid sink without a trace in October-which is exactly what they deserve.
Because you can't treat the written press like dirt-and not expect to suffer the consequences of your actions.
In this case, defeat in Copenhagen come October.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Denver's got it
Tomorrow is the official kick off for Sport Accord but that doesn't mean business hasn't been going on-I think that a lot of the undiscussed i.e. unofficial stuff gets discussed before the start of the published program.
One thing I am hearing in the bars and common areas of the hotel from the locals is how they want to see an Olympics in Denver. But that is never going to happen---1976 remains a not-too-distant memory in the minds of many people and I just can't see that happening. The IOC is concerned with financial risk and takes that into consideration when to award a Games. Admittedly, the risk back then wasn't so much momentary as it was from the environmentalists (emphasis on the mental) but money was lost for sure, although the amount was probably a drop in the bucket compared to today's economics.
We've been warmly welcomed---the service is great, and nothing is ever too much trouble. I'm having a great time. It's great to reconnect with folks you haven't seen in awhile (you know who you are.)
On tap for tomorrow: fireworks!
One thing I am hearing in the bars and common areas of the hotel from the locals is how they want to see an Olympics in Denver. But that is never going to happen---1976 remains a not-too-distant memory in the minds of many people and I just can't see that happening. The IOC is concerned with financial risk and takes that into consideration when to award a Games. Admittedly, the risk back then wasn't so much momentary as it was from the environmentalists (emphasis on the mental) but money was lost for sure, although the amount was probably a drop in the bucket compared to today's economics.
We've been warmly welcomed---the service is great, and nothing is ever too much trouble. I'm having a great time. It's great to reconnect with folks you haven't seen in awhile (you know who you are.)
On tap for tomorrow: fireworks!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Obama's so-called gaffe-not really
As I thought, most everyone is getting all worked up about President Obama's remark on the Jay Leno show last night. If you weren't watching, Barack was discussing his bowling game and Jay asked how he was doing. The President replied "I bowled a 120 the last time-kind of like the Special Olympics."
Are we that ahem, so offended that our Commander in Chief is forced to backtrack and issue an apology? I would think most adults who are up at that hour and watch Jay would understand the context of the President's remarks. There was a woman on our local news being interviewed who said she had an autistic son who participated in Special Olympics and even she understood that it was a joke and it wasn't intended to be mean or vicious.
One of my best friends is disabled. 100% blind. I tell her she sometimes sees better than I do. She's the kind of person you can have a drink and a good joke with and no one gets their feathers ruffled. She once told me that if "she took offense at every little thing, that would be no way to live. It's the non-disabled community that needs to get over it!"
She's right-and it seems most of the howls are from those folks. I can't even believe some people are making such an issue of this over what was a program on at an adult hour, targeted towards adults. In other words, the family hour was over long ago. I watched the show and didn't find a bit of offense in it at all. Jay is pretty tame-compared to what you might see on HBO and even Letterman can get a bit risque at times.
And of course people are trying to link this non-incident to Chicago's bid. Let's review folks: Chicago out in the first round of voting. And it will have nothing to do with Obama or Jay Leno.
Now you will have to excuse me-while I spaz out on my 18% March Madness bracket.
Are we that ahem, so offended that our Commander in Chief is forced to backtrack and issue an apology? I would think most adults who are up at that hour and watch Jay would understand the context of the President's remarks. There was a woman on our local news being interviewed who said she had an autistic son who participated in Special Olympics and even she understood that it was a joke and it wasn't intended to be mean or vicious.
One of my best friends is disabled. 100% blind. I tell her she sometimes sees better than I do. She's the kind of person you can have a drink and a good joke with and no one gets their feathers ruffled. She once told me that if "she took offense at every little thing, that would be no way to live. It's the non-disabled community that needs to get over it!"
She's right-and it seems most of the howls are from those folks. I can't even believe some people are making such an issue of this over what was a program on at an adult hour, targeted towards adults. In other words, the family hour was over long ago. I watched the show and didn't find a bit of offense in it at all. Jay is pretty tame-compared to what you might see on HBO and even Letterman can get a bit risque at times.
And of course people are trying to link this non-incident to Chicago's bid. Let's review folks: Chicago out in the first round of voting. And it will have nothing to do with Obama or Jay Leno.
Now you will have to excuse me-while I spaz out on my 18% March Madness bracket.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Enough already-tired of the excuses
It's Saturday---supposed to be my day off. Word of warning...if you see something posted on a weekend here, that means we're fired up. I am here in Philadelphia and supposed to be enjoying myself!
It seems the current fashionable thing to do is to make excuses regarding the Michael Phelps situation. Bottom line: bong=pot. He wasn't smoking Marlboro Lights. Get with it people.
John Meyer of the Denver Post put it best. About a month ago, he wrote a column and said "who cares anymore?" Some people might say "well Maryanne, you are writing about it." No not about him but the people who think it is cool to dance around the subject ("was it pot or wasn't it pot") instead of calling it like it is: a spoiled kid who didn't think the rules applied to him, who in turn has some in the sport community covering for what is clearly illegal actions and saying it's OK on the guise of the question of what was in the bong at the party.
Let's call it what it is folks: pot, weed, marijuana, Mary Jane, whatever. Just don't call Phelps a hero-loser is more like it.
Over and out.
It seems the current fashionable thing to do is to make excuses regarding the Michael Phelps situation. Bottom line: bong=pot. He wasn't smoking Marlboro Lights. Get with it people.
John Meyer of the Denver Post put it best. About a month ago, he wrote a column and said "who cares anymore?" Some people might say "well Maryanne, you are writing about it." No not about him but the people who think it is cool to dance around the subject ("was it pot or wasn't it pot") instead of calling it like it is: a spoiled kid who didn't think the rules applied to him, who in turn has some in the sport community covering for what is clearly illegal actions and saying it's OK on the guise of the question of what was in the bong at the party.
Let's call it what it is folks: pot, weed, marijuana, Mary Jane, whatever. Just don't call Phelps a hero-loser is more like it.
Over and out.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Let's do Denver
Less than four weeks to go...if you are going, how are your plans coming along? Have you decided on going to the Colorado Avalanche hockey game? Or the Denver sports arenas tour versus the US Olympic Training Center jaunt? I however will pass up the 6:30 AM runs thru downtown Denver-that's too early! There is something going on most every night after 5PM. We're going to be taken care of-nicely.
I am getting the impression some folks (attendees/bid committees) are getting a bit smug. Not everyone is like this, but I can see where people are playing cards that don't matter ("Obama is from Chicago so it looks like they have an advantage") to erasing memories of past tragedies ("that was in the past" is the impression I am getting.) I can tell you this: some will get to Denver and have the verbal equivalent of cold water thrown in their faces. They will be getting a wake up call (and it won't be from the hotel front desk.)
Getting "long in the tooth" is probably the major mistake most people make. I saw it happen to New York City's bid-and when Mayor Bloomberg had that meltdown in the lobby of the Raffles in Singapore, that just about sealed their fate even before the vote went down.
The closer it gets to crunch time, the more mistakes will be seen. The weird thing is that the folks involved think it doesn't matter or that no one will see them. You never know who will be around or who will hear what. I know of one IOC member who some years ago made a time bomb of a comment that could possibly affect one current bid city's chances. Funny thing is, he's on the attendee list. Oh the irony!
We're in for some surprises-count on it.
I am getting the impression some folks (attendees/bid committees) are getting a bit smug. Not everyone is like this, but I can see where people are playing cards that don't matter ("Obama is from Chicago so it looks like they have an advantage") to erasing memories of past tragedies ("that was in the past" is the impression I am getting.) I can tell you this: some will get to Denver and have the verbal equivalent of cold water thrown in their faces. They will be getting a wake up call (and it won't be from the hotel front desk.)
Getting "long in the tooth" is probably the major mistake most people make. I saw it happen to New York City's bid-and when Mayor Bloomberg had that meltdown in the lobby of the Raffles in Singapore, that just about sealed their fate even before the vote went down.
The closer it gets to crunch time, the more mistakes will be seen. The weird thing is that the folks involved think it doesn't matter or that no one will see them. You never know who will be around or who will hear what. I know of one IOC member who some years ago made a time bomb of a comment that could possibly affect one current bid city's chances. Funny thing is, he's on the attendee list. Oh the irony!
We're in for some surprises-count on it.