![](\"http:\/\/cyber.law.harvard.edu\/blogs\/static\/dowbrigade\/manorr.jpg\")
What
\n a shame we have to work during the Olympics. Missing so many events is
\n making us think seriously for the first time
\n about getting a TiVo. On the other hand, by flipping through the
\n 4 or 5 channels in the NBC family which are sharing the broadcast, cable
\n serendipity has brought us to a surprise ball of obscure events, mythical
\n matchups, personal and international dramas, and occasionally, a complete
\n surprise.<\/p>\n
Today, for example, we were channel surfing in the afternoon
\n when we came across an Olympic sport WE HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE. As
\n an inveterate sports fan and true believer in the lofty ideals and gritty
\n reality of this quadrennial extravaganza, up until that moment we would
\n have bet a considerable sum of money that we were familiar with ALL of
\n the Olympic events, even recent bastard children like Synchronized Diving
\n and Rhythmic Gymnastics.<\/p>\n
Anyway, in this new sport we saw what appeared
\n to be about 7-10 women on a side, tossing (but not dribbling or kicking)
\n an orange rubber ball into a small low net somewhat akin to a lacrosse
\n net. There were no bats, baskets, pads, racquets or special equipment
\n at all. The game was played indoors, on what looked like a wooden court,
\n with lines painted indicating penalty areas, sidelines, etc. What could
\n it be? We wouldn’t have accepted it as an Olympic sport at all if not
\n for the huge Olympic symbol painted on the middle of the field of play.<\/p>\n
Later, we enjoyed watching several fights between Russians
\n and Cubans, who seem to be between themselves, dominating the later rounds
\n of the Olympic boxing championships. This is obviously because the boxers
\n in those countries have relatively little access to the professional
\n ranks and the millions that lie along that path. Nevertheless, one wonders
\n why some ambitious boxing promoters haven’t lured some of these world
\n champions into the shady world of professional boxing long before now.
\n Perhaps their style and training to score points rather than do damage
\n makes them worthless as professional pugilists.<\/p>\n
On the other side of that coin, the American boxers, who
\n used to dominate the medals stand, especially at welter weight and above,
\n have been quickly given the boot this time around. Again, they
\n are unaccustomed to the scoring system and up against fighters with
\n years more experience. It’s no wonder they are losing. America will dominate
\n Olympic Boxing again when we develop a few thousand talented fighters
\n who can afford to turn up their noses a\\t the millions of dollars being
\n dangled in the pro boxing game and dedicate the best years of their
\n lives to learning the rules and acquiring the skills of Olympic boxing.
\n Maybe if we recruit among Shakers, Mormons and Krishna’s, although we
\n understand the Krishna’s have become quite capitalistic lately.<\/p>\n
Getting back to the Russian vs. Cuban boxers, it was a
\n bit like watching Brazil vs. Germany in soccer. A single minded
\n modern sports machine against a creative celebration of sport as art.
\n A disciplined
\n band of northern European Aryans marching triple time in formation taking
\n on a slap-happy band of Latin sports lovers dancing their way to fame.
\n Power vs. Touch. An efficient crew of killers taking on a gang of Devil-may-Care of soul brothers. Old world vs. new world. Death vs. Life.<\/p>\n
In soccer over recent years, and in boxing today in
\n Greece, Life won out over Death, Creativity over Control. Unfortunately,
\n in the world at large, this is the exception rather than the rule.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
What a shame we have to work during the Olympics. Missing so many events is making us think seriously for the first time about getting a TiVo. On the other hand, by flipping through the 4 or 5 channels in … Continue reading