Written by Guest Blogger Le Duke De Fromage

While watching the opening ceremonies for the Olympics and trying to figure out what was going on, I kept feeling this is just one big commercial. Yes, it was glitz, showy, and glamor but also confusing and at times very messy. Compare it to a Monty Python skit on steroids or a questionable Super Bowl half time show. The blatant selling of England, the host country, was bewildering to non-brits and probably brits alike.
[ except for Mr. Bean, a personal favorite]
The spectacle reminded me of an excellent article written by Frank Deford for Smithsonian magazine on the History of the Olympic Games. Deford,if you are not aware is one of the premiere sports writers in America. He describes the struggles of the earlier games and some of the more outrageous acts committed by promoters and athletes alike. No doubt, this 2012 opening will be included in a later book for some future writer.
Cost estimates for these games are estimated to run over 24 billion pounds.No wonder there are over fifty official sponsors for the Olympics and this does not include the T.V. money for which N.B.C. paid a fortune. As Deford outlines in his history this is a far cry from earlier games,which were run on a shoestring. However, costs escalate as do ticket prices and hosting the Olympics is no cheap venue.The opening night average ticket price was $2500.00 dollars, slightly less than a super bowl ticket seat .Average price for any basketball game is $400.00, swimming event average $700.00 that is if you can get a ticket. Some demand events have been embarrassed by blocks of empty seats held by advertisers, and V.I.P.s who just didn’t show up. Again Olympic spirit at work.
Some countries have been accused of scalping their allotment of tickets to make a few bucks, others make sure that only fat cats and select dignitaries get to attend. Most of us get to watch on the telly which considering the cost of London is the best way. Estimated viewing for opening night was forty million people in the U.S. Of course, one cannot discuss the Olympics without mentioning the contests and the judging of such. Some of the most corrupt,inept, and home country decisions have made the judging an international disgrace.They make Vegas boxing judges look honest. The International Olympic Committee has not been without its scandals either. Corruption, bribes, unaccounted dollars and a host of improper and illegal acts have haunted the Olympics for years.
That leaves the athletes, doping, illegal equipment, questionable sex gender and every other wrongdoing one can name has been leveled against the participants one time or another. To win medal is the goal at any cost. So much for the spirit of the games. Isn’t it also contrary to the Olympic creed to count medals? The thought was to compete on an amateur level with sportsmanship and friendly competition the main goal. Just like the U.S. amateur Olympic basketball team.
There is another side to all the negative,the heart warming stories of individuals who sacrifice their youth for a chance to compete. At times, they actually achieve the goal and everyone feels good.I hope they can cash in and make it pay for all their hard work and dreams.
The games have become a big spectacle with the host country trying to out due the previous one, and hopefully make a few bucks.
Whadayathink? Are the Olympics worthwhile or is it just another sham production hoping to make a few bucks and gain publicity for the host country and a select few of the world’s best athletes?