The camera cuts to a tight shot of the proud, young athlete, tears of pride and joy streaming down his face. In the background the majestic sound of his National Anthem plays as his national flag slowly rises behind him. His smile beams from the television set, he is a proud symbol of excellence in his sport, the very best of the best that his country has offered to the world.
As the last notes of the anthem play, he grabs hold of the gold medal around his neck, holds it high in the air and mouths, "For you mom." He stands on the podium another few seconds, basking in the adulation of the crowd. Glory and honor comes to him in waves. He steps down from the highest step of the podium and walks towards the crowd. He wants to show his national pride, he wants to thank the great nation he calls home for allowing him to excel in his sport, he wants to display patriotism. But he is forbidden.
Under instructions from the United States Olympic committee, American athletes are being instructed to refrain from any overt displays of national pride. Draping themselves in an American flag, is no longer considered acceptable. Grabbing a flag and taking a victory lap is tantamount to thumbing their noses at the rest of the world. Showing allegiance to the country they love is equal to telling the rest to kiss off.
At least that is what the U.S.O.C. would have us believe.
In an article published in the London Sunday Telegraph, Mike Moran,a former spokesperson for the U.S.O.C., says, "Unfortunately, using the flag as a prop or a piece of apparel or indulging in boasting behavior is becoming part of our society."
Unfortunately!? Where does this guy live? Since when is it derogatory to show patriotism? Who gave the U.S.O.C. the right to tell our athletes to not show pride in their nation?
The modern Olympic oath reads:
We swear that we will take part in these Olympic Games
in the true spirit of sportsmanship, and that we will
respect and abide by the rules that govern them, for
the glory of sport and the honor of our country.
Read that last line again, "honor of our country." This line tells the athletes to be patriotic, it swears them to be allegiant to the nation of their residence.
If the world is such a delicate place, maybe we should not participate in the Olympics. Maybe the United States should hold its own version of the Olympic games. Of course, if we did we would be called exclusionary and arrogant for not inviting other nations.
To those who think that the American athletes should refrain from displays of national pride, I say, take a look at the country you live in. The United States is the greatest nation in the world, you would be well reminded to remember that. It gives you the right to express your opinions, show pride or not. But, it does not give you the right to tell others whether or not they can be patriotic.
Let freedom ring, but only if it doesn't offend anyone...
As the last notes of the anthem play, he grabs hold of the gold medal around his neck, holds it high in the air and mouths, "For you mom." He stands on the podium another few seconds, basking in the adulation of the crowd. Glory and honor comes to him in waves. He steps down from the highest step of the podium and walks towards the crowd. He wants to show his national pride, he wants to thank the great nation he calls home for allowing him to excel in his sport, he wants to display patriotism. But he is forbidden.
Under instructions from the United States Olympic committee, American athletes are being instructed to refrain from any overt displays of national pride. Draping themselves in an American flag, is no longer considered acceptable. Grabbing a flag and taking a victory lap is tantamount to thumbing their noses at the rest of the world. Showing allegiance to the country they love is equal to telling the rest to kiss off.
At least that is what the U.S.O.C. would have us believe.
In an article published in the London Sunday Telegraph, Mike Moran,a former spokesperson for the U.S.O.C., says, "Unfortunately, using the flag as a prop or a piece of apparel or indulging in boasting behavior is becoming part of our society."
Unfortunately!? Where does this guy live? Since when is it derogatory to show patriotism? Who gave the U.S.O.C. the right to tell our athletes to not show pride in their nation?
The modern Olympic oath reads:
We swear that we will take part in these Olympic Games
in the true spirit of sportsmanship, and that we will
respect and abide by the rules that govern them, for
the glory of sport and the honor of our country.
Read that last line again, "honor of our country." This line tells the athletes to be patriotic, it swears them to be allegiant to the nation of their residence.
If the world is such a delicate place, maybe we should not participate in the Olympics. Maybe the United States should hold its own version of the Olympic games. Of course, if we did we would be called exclusionary and arrogant for not inviting other nations.
To those who think that the American athletes should refrain from displays of national pride, I say, take a look at the country you live in. The United States is the greatest nation in the world, you would be well reminded to remember that. It gives you the right to express your opinions, show pride or not. But, it does not give you the right to tell others whether or not they can be patriotic.
Let freedom ring, but only if it doesn't offend anyone...
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