By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2010 TexSport Publications
PASADENA, TEXAS (February 27, 2010) Tonight, while sitting in the comfortable confines of my home outside Houston, TX, I was fortunate to observe the gold medal performance of the USA 4-man bobsled team, aptly named "Night Train."
NBC broadcast the medal ceremony for the four-man bobsled and showed the four athletes, pilot Steven Holcomb, and pushers Justin Olsen, Steve Mesler and Curt Tomasevicz, receiving their medals.
They were all dressed alike, in their multi-colored USA team jackets, and when the national anthem was announced, they promptly placed their hands over their hearts and showed the proper respect for their country, their performance, their sport, and the Olympic ideal.
It was a proud moment for everyone. The United States had not won a gold medal in the four-man bobsled since the 1948 Winter Games in St. Moritz, Switzerland.
As the national anthem was played, the camera focused on Holcomb. He stood tall and proud, showing how humbled he was of their achievement. Viewers could see his lip quivering, fighting to hold back the tears of joy that he and teammates were feeling.
When the camera pulled back, everyone could see the pride and power of this simple yet moving scene; four men who had done something that had not occurred in 62 years.
They had won the Olympic gold medal in the four-man bobsled for the United States. They were proud and emotional and did not care who knew it. The showed the valves, respect and positive demeanors that their fellow citizens want to see in their athletes.
Many of our Olympic athletes should observe and that heed their example. This is the type of behavior and pride we expect to see from our Olympic athletes.
We do not want to see our medal winners waving to the fans during the national anthem.
We do not want to see our medal winners playing air guitars during the national anthem.
We do not want to see medal winners bringing disrespect to our country.
We do not want our athletes wearing their medals like a belt; allowing girls to kiss it.
We want; NO, WE DEMAND; they act like the four men from USA 1; proud, humble, and not afraid to show the emotions which brings a positive light to themselves, their sport and our country.
Kudos ho out to the four athletes of "Night Train." Your performance and your demeanor at the award ceremony make us very proud of you. We, as I know you are, are proud to be Americans.
Showing posts with label Vancouver. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vancouver. Show all posts
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
2010 Winter Olympics: Amy Williams Wins Gold; Shows Proper Respect
By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2010 TexSport Publications
PASADENA, TEXAS (February 20, 2010) When an athlete achieves the pinnacle of sporting achievement, an Olympic gold medal, they are awarded their medal on the victory platform, followed by the playing of their country’s nation anthem.
On Saturday, British athlete Amy Williams won the women’s skeleton at the Whistler Sliding Center outside Vancouver, Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Williams stunned the crowd, winning the gold medal over the heavily favored Germans, with a four-run total of 3 minutes, 35.64 seconds.
When the medal ceremony was televised, Williams received her medal and stood at attention while “God Save The Queen” was played. She sang along with the anthem and showed the proper and formal decorum that such a ceremony demands.
It was refreshing to see an athlete show the proper demeanor while she and her country were being recognized and honored.
A quick review of other gold medalists at the Games was in stark contrast to Williams’ decorum.
Take Shaun White’s behavior during the playing of the national anthem of the United States for his victory in the halfpipe. While standing on the podium, White’s hand and arm were holding a bouquet of flowers in front of his body, which I could consider an attempt to place his and over his heart.
Copyright 2010 TexSport Publications
PASADENA, TEXAS (February 20, 2010) When an athlete achieves the pinnacle of sporting achievement, an Olympic gold medal, they are awarded their medal on the victory platform, followed by the playing of their country’s nation anthem.
On Saturday, British athlete Amy Williams won the women’s skeleton at the Whistler Sliding Center outside Vancouver, Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Williams stunned the crowd, winning the gold medal over the heavily favored Germans, with a four-run total of 3 minutes, 35.64 seconds.
When the medal ceremony was televised, Williams received her medal and stood at attention while “God Save The Queen” was played. She sang along with the anthem and showed the proper and formal decorum that such a ceremony demands.
It was refreshing to see an athlete show the proper demeanor while she and her country were being recognized and honored.
A quick review of other gold medalists at the Games was in stark contrast to Williams’ decorum.
Take Shaun White’s behavior during the playing of the national anthem of the United States for his victory in the halfpipe. While standing on the podium, White’s hand and arm were holding a bouquet of flowers in front of his body, which I could consider an attempt to place his and over his heart.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Scotty Lago Leaves Vancouver Over Racy Photos
VANCOUVER, CANADA (February 20, 2010) USA snowboarder and Olympic bronze medalist Scotty Lago has left the Winter Olympics after a racy photo surfaced of him inviting girls to kiss his bronze medal while it hung around his waist.
Lago left Vancouver voluntarily after publication of a photo of him wearing his Olympic medal around his waist and the hardware hung over his groin area on a public street.
A second shot showed a woman biting the medal, but this time Lago held it up by the logo on his Team USA T-shirt.
Reports say his "voluntary" departure was prompted by an ultimatum from the U.S. Olympic Committee: say you're sorry and go or we kick you out.
In response,, Lago apologized to the U.S. Olympic Committee and the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSSA) and packed his bags for home.
USSSA President and CEO Bill Marolt was quoted in saying:
"Scotty Lago is a great athlete, but with that talent comes a responsibility of proper conduct, and his involvement in this situation is not acceptable. With that said, Scotty realizes that his conduct was inappropriate. He has formally apologized and also made a decision to leave Vancouver today."
The culture of snowboarding may accept Lago’s behavior as acceptable, but many, including myself, do not.
Athletes sign a Code of Conduct when they are selected to the Olympic Team. It document is very clear and concise about what behavior is expected and how the athletes are to act at all times.
If they have a problem with what is expected of them, then they should give up their spot on the team to another athlete who is willing to act with decorum and respect while representing the United States.
After all, competing in the Olympics and possibly winning a medal should be enough of an incentive to act appropriately.
Some of our Olympians may have forgotten than fact.
Lago left Vancouver voluntarily after publication of a photo of him wearing his Olympic medal around his waist and the hardware hung over his groin area on a public street.
A second shot showed a woman biting the medal, but this time Lago held it up by the logo on his Team USA T-shirt.
Reports say his "voluntary" departure was prompted by an ultimatum from the U.S. Olympic Committee: say you're sorry and go or we kick you out.
In response,, Lago apologized to the U.S. Olympic Committee and the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSSA) and packed his bags for home.
USSSA President and CEO Bill Marolt was quoted in saying:
"Scotty Lago is a great athlete, but with that talent comes a responsibility of proper conduct, and his involvement in this situation is not acceptable. With that said, Scotty realizes that his conduct was inappropriate. He has formally apologized and also made a decision to leave Vancouver today."
The culture of snowboarding may accept Lago’s behavior as acceptable, but many, including myself, do not.
Athletes sign a Code of Conduct when they are selected to the Olympic Team. It document is very clear and concise about what behavior is expected and how the athletes are to act at all times.
If they have a problem with what is expected of them, then they should give up their spot on the team to another athlete who is willing to act with decorum and respect while representing the United States.
After all, competing in the Olympics and possibly winning a medal should be enough of an incentive to act appropriately.
Some of our Olympians may have forgotten than fact.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
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