Olympic Integrity

As with just about everyone on the planet who has a television, we have been watching the Olympics. Its been limited to being taped and watching only events we are interested in like the swimming, gymnastics, running and equestrian events.

Seriously though – what is softball doing in the Olympics? Or for that matter Football? And who has ever heard of handball?

I have always questioned the role of the journalist hovering at the sidelines of match games or events, pouncing on the breathless athlete as they have completed a grueling game or competition and asking inane questions. Who can think straight after your body has just gone through hell, you are exhausted and all you want to do is to fall in a heap in the shower?

A few days ago an Australian runner, Tamsyn Lewis was stalked as she completed her 800 metre run. She had been doing well in her heats and then it was obvious her spirit just gave out as her legs were too exhausted to keep up the pace. My heart went out to her as she powered on – coming in last. A note here –I beleive that there was 4 seconds between the winner and her time. Not taking away from the other competitiors - I mean you have to be a top athlete to even get on the team anywhere - but man that girl has worked hard for years.... Her heart is the only thing that kept her upright and powering on. what an inspiration to all...You can find more out about her on her website - http://tamsynlewis.com

The idiotic journalist – I think he is a pretty well known commentator for one of the major television corporations - Channel 7 – leapt over to her and sent a barrage of questions at her. She was sobbing with frustration, anger and disappointment. The world could see her tears streaming down her face as she attempted to give meaningful answers and appear positive. I wished I had a big cyber stick as he would have been beaten to death with it for being such an obnoxious, unsympathetic pratt. He kept asking what her words to Australia would be – since they had pinned their hopes on her. The poor girl sobbed asking for them to forgive her and that she honestly had given 100%. What on earth is Australia going to do to her when she comes back – electrocute her?

I was so angry at the reporter afterwards, but then thought perhaps he was like that with everyone – unfeeling and completely devoid of feelings. Later that day, I caught an interview by him with a male competitor who had done similarly by coming last in a final heat. The temperature in our house rose many degrees as the reporter soothed the ruffled ego of the male competitor and basically said – don’t worry about it Australia will understand how competitive it is out here. What an appaling lack of respect, integrity and outright sexual discrimination!

Correct me if I am wrong – but you don’t get to the Olympics by being a slug? You are the best in your country. You have trained for years, your parents have given up early morning sleep to take you to the pool or to the track, driven you for miles to go to competitions and probably sewn uniforms or done countless fundraisers to send you to far away places in pursuit of excellence. No-one goes to the Olympics thinking they might go out there and only do 50% of their best. A high percentage give nearly 150% of their PB, nearly killing themselves to achieve the very best for themselves, their sport and their country. I am still dumbfounded by the audacity of the reporter to ask those inane questions and to put a top athlete like Tamsyn on such a downer. I haven’t seen his reports lately and shudder to think of any other unfortunate ‘failures’ who come under his scrutiny.

I understand that the public are desperate for personal stories and to hear first hand on how personalities feel about a certain subject or event; however there needs to be some stricter guidelines in media integrity… and don’t get me started on the whole Princess Diana incident (and phenomena) Where is the line of human integrity blurred and entertainment come into it? Another topic for later on….