04/19/24
August 20, 2008
To lift a nation: In every little corner of the Olympics, you'll find something that means everything to somebody. It's what keeps the flame burning, that every country here has something to wait for, something to hang on. Sit with an Indian watching his country's best woman play badminton, Go to Heineken House, the Olympic version of the Spirit of Edmonton suite at Grey Cup, and you'll see the Dutch celebrate a cycling medal the way a Brazilian celebrates soccer.
Yesterday it was Latvia's turn.
posted by tommytrump to olympics at 06:57 AM - 2 comments
Talk about missing the story... Did this guy even watch the event? This competition was one of THE moments of the games for me. Matthias Steiner of Germany won the gold with a clean and jerk 10 kilos heavier than his personal best. Still grieving after the recent death of his wife. Steiner post lift celebrations was one of the rawest displays of emotion you will ever see. He later posed with the gold medal along with a picture of his deceased wife.
more here
gallery
I recommend you go to your country's official Olympic site and take a look at the highlights.
posted by choc0bot at 09:35 PM on August 21, 2008
Short article, but good. It's one of those things those of us in the US and those handful of hyper-dominant nations can't comprehend: what it must be like to really rally behind your Olympic heroes, and the pride that comes with it.
We in the US are so jaded, we need a guy to win 8 friggin' Gold medals in one Olympics to even really pay attention; but no American will know what it's like to watch with your countrymen in a crowded room as Usain Bolt races for a world record Gold in the 100M, the first time your country has ever had a 100M Gold. Truth is, that's more what the Olympics is about: a peaceful way for people to gain national pride and compete, without bloodshed or extremism.