The Lighter Side of the Olympics

Ryan, one medal hopeful for the Olympic marathon trained the hardest for the past 4 years, right after them Olympics in Athens. His coach modified his diet, monitored his nightly life even his time with his wife. He even was not allowed to go to a smoking tolerant bar. When he and his coach left for Beijing last week, a TV reporter asked him if he was 100 percent ready to win a medal. He said, "With the complete training package I've done, I am very confident that I could win a medal."

During the athletes long distance dry run on Monday, the reporter was surprised to see him gasping and cramping halfway of his 16-mile run. (A full marathon is 26.2-mile route.) The reporter followed him to his hotel and asked, "Ryan, I thought you have the best coach and the best training, the most complete training package to prepare for the Beijing marathon? What was the problem?"

Ryan replied, "My coach forgot to train me with a mask on while running."

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Yes, coaches and athletes, except those Chinese contingent, are so worried about the effect of pollution to their performance next week. I saw them on TV already wearing masks right after they landed in China. Probably we would be witnessing many track athletes fainting and cramping for they would tend to hold their breath, as if they are all sprinters, for health sake. Probably we would see China contingent winning the highest number of medals.

Surely, we would be witnessing the most spectacular opening ceremony on Friday, both in field demonstration and fireworks display. Oh, yes, China spent 20 billion British pounds in the games. Most of that money went to the infrastructure, which would help China economy in the long run. Nevertheless, a big chunk of that money was also used to produce millions of fireworks for the opening ceremony. Why not? It would be an added pollutant to a highly polluted air.

Hey, athletes, did you bring your sunglasses, too? Too much smog will affect your eyes. If you do, just remember not to wear it, while wearing your black masks. Otherwise, you would be deported, suspected as terrorists. Hmmm.... another plus for China's medal standing.

Anyway, do your very best. I, a sport fanatic, will make night into day as I watch you all on NBC. Hats off to all of you.