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.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
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.
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.
Monday, October 29, 2007
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%.
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%.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
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?
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?
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
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.
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.
Monday, October 22, 2007
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.
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.