Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site unc.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!mcnc!unc!bch From: bch@unc.UUCP (Byron Howes ) Newsgroups: net.sport Subject: Re: USSR - Alpine Skiing Message-ID: <6779@unc.UUCP> Date: Sat, 18-Feb-84 01:22:02 EST Article-I.D.: unc.6779 Posted: Sat Feb 18 01:22:02 1984 Date-Received: Sun, 19-Feb-84 02:36:15 EST References: <574@pyuxa.UUCP> Organization: University of North Carolina Comp. Center Lines: 28 Cheers to T.C. Wheeler. I agree completely. Just being in the Olympics and finishing your event has got to be one of the great thrills of a lifetime. The also-rans put as much work, and heart, into what they do as those 6 guys who get to come down the slope first and they deserve as much, maybe more, for just doing it -- not for the medals, not for the glory, but just for doing it. One of the great stories ABC *did* cover was that of the Puerto Rican Luger who had *never* made it completely down a luge run without wiping out -- until the Olympics when he made through all four of his runs. True, he came in dead last among those who finished, but he *did* finish. Rocky Balboa couldn't have done it better. Despite the hype and the excesses of the press and fans, the Olympics really do represent the best of what we humans are. You watch these kids competing and you realize that they're not doing it for G-d and country, but just for the competition and themselves. Those of use sitting in our living rooms with our beer and pretzels may get a stir of national pride during the medal ceremonies, but it seems to me the joy those athletes feel is an intensely personal one. I guess I'm glad for the opportunity to share it even a little. -- "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!" Byron Howes UNC - Chapel Hill (decvax!mcnc!unc!bch)