Am I the only one who feels like we should just pass on the Olympics this year and wait another four? Don’t get me wrong, I love the Olympics -- usually. As a big fan of professional sports in America, I can definitely get behind athletes representing our country and showing dominance over other countries around the world. But this year, I think it is safe to say no to the not so safe Rio Olympics.
As the games are underway, the main stories have all been disasters. Where are all the inspiring stories about athletes who have become Olympians against all odds? Those stories I love to hear. Those stories make me sit on the couch all day watching every sport that comes on the screen from swimming to archery. I mean, last month were there not stadiums still being built?
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Let’s just walk through some of the stories that have hit the news regarding things gone wrong in Rio. Then, you can tell me if we should pack it in and wait four more years. First things first --Australians. I give Australia a lot of credit for not waving the white flag already after less than one week in the village. The whole blocked toilets and room problems seem to be the least of their worries. Imagine if you had to evacuate your room for some reason and then your room got robbed while you were waiting outside. Oh, wait, they don’t have to imagine that because it actually happened. I don’t know about anyone else, but I am taking the L and going back to the gold coast for the rest of the summer.
Then, you have Russia and the whole doping scandal. Not certain what is going on with all that but pretty sure that’s not allowed. During the opening ceremony we have Gisele, a Brazilian model and Tom Brady’s wife, getting robbed. I guess all the actual robberies aren’t enough so we have to stage some, too. Yes, this got cut after the rehearsal, but the fact that this was a thing at any point in time is just crazy. Have we found the keys to the stadium yet? I mean one of the biggest stadiums in Rio and they had to break down the fence to let people in because they lost the keys. Do I even need to mention Zika? Anytime I hear about some disease that no one fully understands, I’m all set. Nope. No thanks.
It is nice to see at least some American athletes are on the same page as me. Golf is finally back in the Olympics and our top ranked golfers do not want any part of what is going on in Rio. USA basketball still has the strongest team in the tournament, but countless NBA superstars opted out. Even the ones who did say yes just settled into a huge beautiful yacht because they clearly want to stay as far away from the Olympic Village as possible. I mean, they apparently have men carrying guns surrounding the ship. Bold move; let’s see if it pays off for them.
Above all, let’s not forget about the “Welcome to Hell” signs that were being held up in the airports. People who live in Rio were warning us not to go. If I get off a plane and see someone holding that sign, I am turning right around and getting back on that plane. Not sure if I would even collect my baggage to send back home at that point. Nope. Turning right around and going home.
So, if I am an Olympian, I do not think I would make the trip. If I was in one of those sports that rarely see more than one Olympic appearance that is a tough choice. But, if I am potentially making two or three appearances, I will gladly sit this one out.
Obviously, there is a reason I am not an Olympian and sitting here writing this instead. My greatest athletic achievement was playing a few years on a varsity high school team. So, skipping the Olympics -- a lot easier said than done, I get that. But still, will someone at least talk about the fact that all of this is happening and we continue to compete? I have the outmost respect for these athletes, but I really just cannot wrap my head around everything going on in Rio right now. Am I the only one who thinks we should just forget about this year and start training for the next Olympics?
Good luck to everyone competing this year on and off the field. Seriously, more luck off the field because that seems to be the bigger battle.
