[alanmcorcoran]

Re Olympics - yes most of them have lost money and many lost a boatload. Seems to be a deadly combination of political hubris, taxpayer funding, endemic corruption and other Things Not Conducive To Making Money. The 1984 Games were a rare exception. In addition to living here, I am one degree of separation from the guy that ran it. In my local office (of four) one of our colleagues sister is his personal assistant and she has flown in his personal jet or has otherwsie accompanied him to the games of the last 7 years.

BTW I'm not a big fan of the Olympics. Nothing against the athletes and everything, but all the flag waving [particularly by First World Countries in Third World Country faces] and the chest beating, and the up close and personal stories and, well, figure skating/gymnastics/curling?, all pretty much nauseate me. I like to be entertained as much as the next guy, but I've never understood why athletes are held in such high regard (as opposed to, say, scientists or heart surgeons, or people that actually provide some direct benefit to society.) I know many of them get involved in charities and the like, but I'm pretty cynical about their motives. I think it's great if you can run fast, or hit a ball, or ski well and I might even enjoy watching you compete against others, but most of the sports seem to have evolved to the point where it's a lot pressure and anxiety and few (shaun white maybe?) really seem to be having any fun. The US usually doesn't do that well in the Winter Olympics and I see that as a plus as there will be fewer chances to have to cringe with the jingoism of the TV announcers. (WW, in many years the TV coverage in the US, in addition to being delayed until after the results are already determined [WTF?] is limited to only events or heats where an American is expected to do well. When I hear of some of these athletes that were plucked at an early age (too young to make informed decisions) to be their countries hope and then spent every day of their entire childhood developing a skill that has no purpose other than entertainment and competition, it's more sad than inspiring.

I did enjoy watching that fellow from Jamaica effortlessly leave everyone in the dust in the last Summer Games. I don't know his story, but he looked to be having a great time and appeared that he could have gone even faster had it been necessary.