There is a great cross-conversation going on about the Olympics at the We Media Blog.
My post dribbles on about the changing relevancy of the games:
"Anything that brings so many different people together and for the most part remains peaceful probably helps ease tension and grow understanding. But do the Olympics really play that large role in our lives anymore? There was a time when the Olympics were the global media event. The television broadcasts were grand efforts way back when concurrent TV viewing was a thing (pre-TIVO). You watched and felt part of something big. Now it feels like a sporting event. Not a peace event."
Brian Reich talks about the political history of the games:
"And what can we expect when Beijing hosts the Olympics in 2008? Will the US refuse to participate when the Chinese Government jails dissidents in the weeks leading up to the game to make the country look good? Will Iranian athletes (who won two medals in Athens in 2004) be barred from competing if the enrichment of uranium isn't stopped?"
Little Judy reveals her attachment to the games that may be shared by the 21 million current day viewers:
"For me, it's all about the back story. The more I know about the individual athletes, the more interested I am in watching them compete. I'm a sucker for a hard luck story and always come away inspired by the athlete that overcomes adversity to even compete at all. While I watched the television coverage, I was online reading all I could about the individual athletes."
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