Re: “Mikaela Shiffrin becomes face of frustration at the Grumpy Games, where Americans can’t win for losing,” Feb. 19 Mark Kiszla column.
As a 66-year-old guy, I want to respond to Mark Kiszla’s column bemoaning the lack of Olympic gold medals for the U.S. Olympic team in South Korea.
Long ago, I let go of medal counting. Do we really need more to brag about, to strut on the world stage? I watch the Olympics to see prime athletes give it their absolute all as they compete. Have you noticed how, after each competition, the athletes congratulate and hug each other? Thatap what itap about. The glory of elite competition, the opportunity to achieve a rare goal, to celebrate, and to move on, letting that become part of the fabric of one’s life. Not just the gold, the but the participation. Medals are frosting on the cake. Do we need to gorge on frosting?
I only hope the Special Olympics receive equitable coverage. Behind each of those athletes is an amazing story that ought to be celebrated on the world stage.
Todd Sorensen, Littleton
Yes, American Olympic athletes are not performing as well as we hoped and anticipated. But why all the negativity and frustration? The front-page column by Mark Kiszla left a very bad taste in my mouth. Yes, we Americans get teary-eyed hearing the national anthem played, but we also watch, I believe, the Olympic games for the competition regardless of which countries win or lose.
Gary Alfred, Denver
Regarding Mark Kiszla’s columns, which I thoroughly enjoy, I want to add that just getting to the Olympics is victory enough. We put too much emphasis in winning medals, in particular gold. Winning medals is icing on the cake. These athletes have nothing to be ashamed of. They are all winners.
And kudos to Lindsey Vonn — don’t worry about those hateful internet trolls. You made your country proud. You are a class act. These trolls offer the world nothing and will live out their years as nothings.
Walt Bonora, Lakewood
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