Looking For the Good At the Olympics
By Ken Reed
There are plenty of good and bad things about the overly commercial and political Olympic Games. We’ve written about both multiple times in the past.
For these Games, I’ve been looking for more of the good.
I liked the symbolism of seeing North Korean and South Korean athletes march into the stadium together for the opening ceremonies. And I enjoyed watching a story about North Koreans and South Koreans playing on the same women’s hockey team at the Olympics. Two cool stories that probably won’t do much to change the current political situation involving the two countries but cool nonetheless.
When one just sits down to watch the actual competitions, a lot more good than bad can be found. I like watching athletes who have trained for years, giving their ultimate effort, whether that’s to win a medal or simply to finish their event.
One of my favorite stories this year was about the Russian luger who offered his sled to American Chris Mazdzer before the Olympics started. The Russian knew Mazdzer was in a slump and wanted to help him. Mazdzer graciously declined the offer and ended up winning a silver medal on his own sled. But he was deeply moved. (Mazdzer declined to name the Russian luger who demonstrated such amazing sportsmanship.)
“It’s such a unique bond on the luge circuit. I don’t know how to relate it,” said Mazdzer.
“But we all look out for each other. We all want the best for each other. … I think that what it shows is that we care about each other. There is a human connection that we have, that crosses countries, that crosses cultures, and sport is an amazing way to accomplish that.”
Now that’s good stuff. At times, the Olympics actually can represent the highest and best of sports and humanity.
— Ken Reed, Sports Policy Director, League of Fans
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"How We Can Save Sports" author Ken Reed appears on Fox & Friends to explain how there's "too much adult in youth sports."
Ken Reed appears on Mornings with Gail from KFKA Radio in Colorado to discuss bad parenting in youth athletics.
“Should College Athletes Be Paid?” Ken Reed on The Morning Show from Wisconsin Public Radio
Ken Reed appears on KGNU Community Radio in Colorado (at 02:30) to discuss equality in sports and Title IX.
Ken Reed appears on the Ralph Nader Radio Hour (at 38:35) to discuss his book The Sports Reformers: Working to Make the World of Sports a Better Place, and to talk about some current sports issues.
- League of Fans Sports Policy Director Ken Reed quoted in Washington Post column titled "What happened to P.E.? It’s losing ground in our push for academic improvement," by Jay Mathews
League of Fans is a sports reform project founded by Ralph Nader to fight for the higher principles of justice, fair play, equal opportunity and civil rights in sports; and to encourage safety and civic responsibility in sports industry and culture.
Sports & Torts – Ken Reed, Sports Policy Director, League of Fans – at the American Museum of Tort Law
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