Canada top$ USA.
“The United States Olympic Committee spending $58 million on the Winter Games as compared to what the New York Yankees spend on players? How about a realistic comparison, Kiz? How about a comparison to how much the other countries spend on the Olympics? I’ll bet most countries don’t spend even half what the United States does.”
Brian, Evans
Kiz: Just as the Yankees often fail in their quest to buy a baseball championship, a chief Olympic rival of the United States attempted to go all Steinbrenner on us, and it didn’t work out quite as planned. In a program ambitiously dubbed “Own the Podium,” with the stated goal of winning more medals than any country at the 2010 Winter Games, Canada spent $83 million during the last five years to develop athletes, or 14 percent more per annum than Team USA. While the USOC receives no government funding, Olympic athletes in Canada do receive aid from public coffers. Imagine if tax revenue was spent on bobsledders in the USA. I’m guessing that would be more controversial than socialized medicine.
Kiz, kudos about Bettman.
“Mr. Crabby Pants (a.k.a. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman) has never demonstrated he cares as much about the game of hockey as the business of hockey. Bettman would be wise to pay attention to your suggestion the NHL needs to be part of the Winter Games.”
Katherine, Centennial
Kiz: Don’t know if Mr. Crabby Pants will be in Russia for the 2014 Winter Games. But you can bet Alex Ovechkin will be.
Pros downgrade Games.
“Not everybody loves NHL players in the Olympics. So there goes your lame premise, Kiz. My displeasure is with the purity of sport and the Olympic ideal being degraded. I found the Olympics much more compelling when only “amateur” athletes were allowed to compete and stopped watching when it was overrun by professionals. Maybe it’s because I read “The Jim Thorpe Story” as a kid.”
Douglas, Lakewood
Kiz: If the International Olympic Committee can demand billions in TV rights fees to the Games, it’s hard to argue Lindsey Vonn’s commitment to skiing is less pure because she earns $3 million in endorsements and prize money.
Hockey pros must go.
“OK, so here’s the plan. For the Summer Olympics, let’s shut down major- league baseball for two weeks in August so America’s best athletes can represent the country. It’s our game! We deserve a gold medal! Think of the ratings! Pennant race? Dude, it’s the Olympics! When hockey was introduced as an Olympic sport in 1920, it was played during the summer. Forget the NHL players.”
Jim, Littleton
Kiz: Congratulations, we at Kickin’ It headquarters are proud to announce you have earned your Official Merit Badge for Sarcasm. Please send us $49.95 and we will mail it to you ASAP. If millionaires from Manchester United leave the club in the middle of a season to play soccer for national teams, why would major-league baseball have to shut down to send Troy Tulowitzki to the Summer Games? Oh, that’s right. In America, love of money is more important than love of country. Correct?
No love for Games.
“Cry me a river. Olympic athletes are not risking life and limb as our young people in the armed forces do. It makes me sick when Americans lose and say, ‘Well, I did my best.’ ” Where athletes go after the Games is up to them. We as American citizens owe them nothing, they owe us.”
Scott, Littleton
Kiz: So what you’re trying to say is: The Olympic theme song is not the ringtone on your cellphone?
Hey, Tiger, an attitude change and sincerity may help
And today’s parting shot is directed at any athlete who thinks saying “Sorry” will be sufficient to make us love him again.
“Tiger Woods didn’t seem too heartfelt with his apology. It should be done with his actions on the golf course. He should return for the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach and be more fan-friendly like Phil Mickelson. Woods should adjust his attitude and show sincerity by not becoming the old, arrogant Tiger.”
Mark, Snowmass Village
