My good friend and formidable opponent Gabby Sutton marshaled her resources in the service of Nick Curran. Nick's one of our own who's fallen on some real hard luck lately, could use a hand or two, so Gabby went all Secret Squirrel and assembled a killer band to raise a few duckets for the cause. I'm already a big fan of her heavy outfit, a gang called the Del Morrocos. You give a loaded weapon like them a cause, they're going to bring it. And you better believe that they did. Do yourself a favor and the world a good deed- check it out.
It's not quite over yet, unless you don't count rhythmic gymnastics. But barring natural disaster, human error, or a terrorist attack, the closing ceremonies are probably going on without a hitch as I type this, to be aired in prime time here in the US in a few hours. In the end, It would be hard to think of the 30th Olympiad as anything but a fantastic success.
There's a heartening thing about this year's version of Michael Phelps at the end of the games vs. 4 years ago. Now he seems to have a direction to take his life. In interviews after Beijing, he as much as said "I have no idea what to do now." Depression and bad choices would ensue, as they do. This time around he's beaming with pride- but not at his own accomplishments. It's about the effect he's had, the impact he's made on the sport he loves, best exemplified by the Michael Phelps Foundation, designed to get kids into the exercise of swimming.
Although the script going in had us expecting Ryan Lochte to take the torch, reality gave us Chad Le Clos instead. He surprised even himself by beating Phelps for Gold in one race, then come in behind him in the next, which just happened to be the champion's final solo race. Chad was just a kid when he first saw Phelps, and became inspired to follow in his footsteps. The two became fast friends and now intend to hang out, travel together. First on the list? Go swimming with sharks in the Pacific Ocean.
In a week or two, Missy Franklin is going back to school. She's a senior at Regis Jesuit High in Aurora, Colorado. A town in mourning that found a reason to celebrate, perhaps allow their brightest hour to directly follow their darkest one. She hasn't yet decided to go pro, go to college, a combination of the two, or neither. She'll make the correct choice.
Lolo Jones placed 4th in her race. Two other Americans who received not a tenth of the attention she received won Medals. Lolo seems to have found herself the victim of cultural backlash. Her story arc didn't turn out like the movie, as expected. The turnabout has hurt her feelings and bent her head, but she's no stranger to adversity. She's been through worse.
Here's to hoping for a modeling career.
Jessica Ennis is the hero of the United Kingdom, the face of the London Games, and the hope for a future run in Rio four years from now. Her success has brought a unifying influence to Britain not seen in many years. It's a hope that her example will help create a greater sense of racial tolerance and acceptance, following a year after riots swept London.
The same can be said for Mo Farah. A man who exudes character, he's decided to channel his high profile towards helping the people of his native Somalia out of their squalor. "I'm lucky to have set up a new life here, and growing up here after being in Somalia as a little boy. But there are kids out there facing hunger and starvation and we've got to do something about it. There are kids out there who need our help. It really touches my heart." Speaking of character, a woman asked Kirani James to sign an autograph for her daughter. He did, and also added an inscription. "Your mother is very proud of you."
He'll return to Grenada as their Greatest Hero.
For many, it will be remembered as the year of Osacar Pistorious. Although he took home no physical medals, his very existance is a symbol of victory for all citizens of the world.
Usain Bolt: Icon
The Olympics is a truly imminse saga. I didn't touch on every amazing story I saw or heard, or even most of them. Any omissions are not due to lack of merit. If there's someone that inspired you that I might have missed, know that there was no slight intended.
And me? Well, I'll be back to Championing of the Forgotten, Unknown, and Underestimated for your Entertainment, Information, and Education. I sure didn't mind the extra few thousand hits I've gotten these last couple weeks from "lolo jones hot" keyword searches. I hope if you stumbled across this site by accident, you might find a reason or two to looks around here a bit more. Say, did you ever hear of a guy called Jim Steranko..?
FRONT ON THIS OLYMPICS COVERAGE WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY HEROES.
So as it turns out, Usain Bolt is still the Fastest Man Alive. But not as fast as he used to be, just like Phelps. This Olympics is all about The rise and decline of Titans. It happens at a lightning pace. What's four years in the life of a person? It goes by so fast, but it's the difference between an athlete's prime and descent. But all you have to do is look at Usain to know that he's fully embracing and relishing every second. When he speaks, he speaks of honoring his gift and making his country proud.
As he stood on the podium with his Gold Medal, Yohan with Silver, Gatlin with Bronze, as the flag of Jamaica hung highest, even as it just happens that today is the 50th anniversary of Jamaica's independence, you know that you are looking at a man living an absolutely perfect moment. How many of those do you get? I've had a few, and I know each one is one less I'll see. Usain is always present, always enjoying himself, with an infectious joy. That's truly admirable, beyond any physical feat.
There's been no shortage of editorializing about Oscar Pistorious. People have asked how I feel about him competing. The fact is, I can't tell you. I have legs and feet. I can't say what it's like to be him. I won't pretend to know. All I know for sure is, he's got serious cojones.
Kirani James knows exactly who Oscar Pistorious is- he's another runner. They're both part of something larger than themselves. And to prove it, after the heat Kirani won on his way to a glorious Gold Medal run, he went right up to Oscar and traded name tags. I am you, you are me. Despite geography, culture, handicaps real and imagined, they are in this together. Two of a kind.
FOT Olympics Coverage is brought to you by Ronald Mcdonald being escorted out of a park by police after a night of heavy drinking. Every cheeseburger you buy from McDonalds's contributes to a special fund. It's called "The Bail Ronald Out Of Jail Fund." You might ask yourself "Why does he need to be bailed out? They don't keep people locked up any more than overnight for public intoxication." To which Ronald would reply Shut your mouth, idiot."
Usain Bolt is the World's Fastest Man. Or at least he was, four years ago. In the time since, it's been said that he's gotten out of shape and has been squandering his potential, or might just be past his prime. The whispers grew to shouts when he was defeated in Jamaica's qualifying rounds by Usain's own training partner- Yohan Blake.
America's Justin Gatlin is referred to as, fittingly enough, "The Gatlin Gun." When the shot rings out he's like a bullet. He starts out fast and only gets faster. He missed out in 2008 as a doping charge loomed over his head. He tested positive, swore he didn't know why. One has to consider that with a regiment of vitamins and the like, it wouldn't be hard to sneak something in by accident.
Either way, Gatlin Gun has plenty to prove.
Tyson Gay comes from my own state of Kentucky. He's the fastest American of this time, and in fact all time. However, he's been plagues with a number of injuries. he can be no less than perfect to beat The Bolt.
8/6/2012 Update- Turns out NOBODY can beat the Bolt. Never mind.
