Ciao Olympic Games

Critics have been vocal regarding the performances of American's Olympians during the 2006 Torino Games.

Disappointing moments include:
-Lindsey Jacobellis, for showboating in the final seconds of the snowboard cross event and blowing her chances at a gold medal.
-The men's hockey team, for only defeating Kazahkstan and failing to medal.
-Sasha Cohen, for falling in her second day of competition, finishing second.
-Bode Miller, for going zero for five in the alpine skiing events, leaving Torino without any hardware and failure to live up to all the hype.

The moments listed above and the Shani Davis/Chad Hedrick controversy have been some of the most talked about U.S. Olympic moments, and the negativity inherent in them has taken over the wave lengths. As if this hasn't been enough fuel for the critics' fires, critics have also repeatedly pointed out how the focus of the Olympics for many of our athletes isn't "winning one for the team" or for the country; rather, the focus is on oneself -- to win for one and use the winning as a platform for endorsements and personal gain.

Some critics have pointed out that it seems like many of our athletes have "failed to get the job done." And they point to the ratings which prove that Americans just really haven't tuned in to watch the Winter Games.

This is all somewhat sad to me. Sure, I haven't watched the Games religiously over the past two weeks, but I have tuned in as often as I could -- and each time, I have been amazed, not disappointed, by some of our athletes.

Some examples:
-Michelle Kwan, for having enough respect for her sport, her country, and the Games to walk away from her chance at a gold medal, knowing she could not represent the country and compete as would be necessary at this stage.

-Lindsey Kildow, who wrecked hard in training for alpine skiing and, after being released from the hospital, made every effort to get back on her skis and do her best.

-Joey Cheek, who won a gold and silver medal in speed skating events and donated his bonus money to charity.

Kwan teaches viewers a good lesson about respect, maturity, and doing what is best for the team. Kildow teaches viewers a great lesson about determination and perseverance. Cheek teaches viewers a magnificent lesson about being humble and doing what is best for the larger team, the human race.

Cheek wins my award for Olympian best representing the United States on this global stage. He reminds me of all that is good about athletics -- for having the determination for working hard to achieve one's goal, for representing a team well, for being a gracious winner, and for using one’s talent to do something to make the lives of other people better.

Unfortunately, you would miss this story if all you bought into was the negative hype surrounding the Olympics. Americans should be more proud of its athletes’ performances in the Games -- sure, there have been some disappointments and some shortcomings, but what in life doesn't? Besides, we did finish second in the medal race. And, as is the American way of life, we’ll make it necessary to do better in 2010. I already look forward to how we rise to that challenge and I await the stories – both negative and positive – that await us on this global stage.