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"U.S. athletes told to cool it at Olympics"

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originally found here: http://www.washingtontimes.com/funct...6-121028-9603r

U.S. athletes told to cool it at Olympics
By Simon Hart
LONDON SUNDAY TELEGRAPH
Published May 16, 2004

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NEW YORK -- American athletes have been warned not to wave the U.S. flag during their medal celebrations at this summer's Olympic Games in Athens, for fear of provoking crowd hostility and harming the country's already-battered public image.

The spectacle of victorious athletes grabbing a national flag and parading it around the stadium is a familiar part of international sporting competition, but U.S. Olympic officials have ordered their 550-strong team to exercise restraint and avoid any jingoistic behavior.

The plan is part of a charm offensive aimed at repairing the country's international reputation after the deepening crisis in Iraq and damaging revelations of the mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners by U.S. forces at the Abu Ghraib prison.

"American athletes find themselves in extraordinary circumstances in Athens in relation to the world as we know it right now," said Mike Moran, a veteran former spokesman for the United States Olympic Committee who has been retained as a consultant to advise athletes how to behave.

"Regardless of whether there is anti-American sentiment in Athens or not, the world watches Americans a lot now in terms of how they behave and our culture. What I am trying to do with the athletes and coaches is to suggest to them that they consider how the normal things they do at an event, including the Olympics, might be viewed as confrontational or insulting or cause embarrassment."

Four years ago at the Sydney Olympics, members of the victorious American 400-meter relay team were widely condemned for strutting with the U.S. flag after their gold medal presentation. American officials, mindful of the country's precarious standing in world opinion, are desperate to avoid any repeat.

"Unfortunately, using the flag as a prop or a piece of apparel or indulging in boasting behavior is becoming part of our society in sport because every night on TV we see our athletes -- professional, college or otherwise -- taunting their opponents and going face-to-face with each other," Mr. Moran said. "We are trying for 17 days to break that culture.

"What I am telling the athletes is, 'Don't run over and grab a flag and take it round the track with you.' It's not business as usual for American athletes. If a Kenyan or a Russian grabs their national flag and runs round the track or holds it high over their heads, it might not be viewed as confrontational. Where we are in the world right now, an American athlete doing that might be viewed in another manner."

Mr. Moran added that the behavior of British athletes could face similar scrutiny in Athens, though the British Olympic Association insists there are no plans to ban them from celebrating with the Union flag.

"It's up to every athlete how he or she wishes to celebrate their Olympic success, and there are no plans to issue any instructions," a spokesman for the association said. "We are confident that every athlete will celebrate in a responsible way."

The USOC's anxiety at overexuberant displays of jingoism is a far cry from scenes at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, where the American flag became the defining symbol of the Games.

A different environment awaits the American team in Athens, where officials are anxious to replace apple pie with humble pie.

Americans were booed at the World Athletics Championships in Paris last year largely because of Jon Drummond's histrionic protest at his disqualification from a heat of the 100 meters. Also, at an Olympic soccer qualifying match in Mexico earlier this year, the American team was subjected to sustained razzing by a section of the crowd, including chants of "Osama, Osama!"

"We're not the favorite kid in the world right now," conceded Bill Martin, the USOC's acting president. "We are sensitive not only to the security issue, but to jingoism in its raw sense. That is why we are sending people around to educate the athletes as to the appropriate behavior."

now i understand that the united states has pretty well fucked up its image around the world, but in sporting events, celebration and pride for one's country in victory is an important part of the whole process. some restraint is fine, but not even waving the flag is too much for me. your thoughts?

i dont think thats fair at all, thats like saying they cant express pride in their country, and theres nothing wrong with that. if other countries can do it, then theres no reason why the US shouldnt be able to

Fuck that. They should wave the flag as much as they want....they busted their asses to get where they are, and they have earned the right to celebrate in that manner if they so choose. I'm sick and tired of this type of thinking. If somebody gets offended because I'm waving my country's flag around, then they have the problem....not me.

at least they are still participating... unlike in previous years where they sat out.

I'm still holding my breath that all countries will be participating in the Olympics this year --

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Originally posted by Cynthetiq
at least they are still participating... unlike in previous years where they sat out.

If I were in their shoes I would say fuck that and show even more pride. There is no reason to be ashmed of the values this country holds. I would expect any other nation to do the same. We should "restrain" ourselves because we might anger someone, when someone from another country can rub it in our face as much as they like.

I don't think they ought to be told to refrain from displaying the flag. They should just do it in a way that's mindful of the effects it will have, and in a way that is (paradox coming up here) proud yet with humility. You can be proud of your own accomplishments, and of representing the country that helped you get where you are, without shoving it in everyone's face and going "boo-yah!"

If people are going to be yelling "O-SA-MA!" "OH-SA-MA!" in the stands like they did in Mexico, then we sure as hell deserve to wave our flag when we achieve the gold.

Fuck the Olympic Committee.

I sure as hell wouldn't adhere to a word any Olympic officials would say, particularly when they can't even deal with FIGURE SKATING CONTROVERSY. As far as I'm concerned, wave the flag, tattoo it on your skin, and moonwalk around the arena all you want. You win a medal, you can celebrate however the fuck you want. You've earned it.

Not only should the American flag be displayed wherever possible, but every time they play the National Anthem, they should play "American Badass" right after it. :D

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If a Kenyan or a Russian grabs their national flag and runs round the track or holds it high over their heads, it might not be viewed as confrontational. Where we are in the world right now, an American athlete doing that might be viewed in another manner.

Fuck Mike Moran. That's ridiculous to support a double-standard of showing pride in a world-wide competition where you represent one's country.

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Originally posted by WarWagon
As far as I'm concerned, wave the flag, tattoo it on your skin, and moonwalk around the arena all you want. You win a medal, you can celebrate however the fuck you want. You've earned it.

I enjoyed that.

Ok, here is my take on it. The flag is not there for athletes to drape around their shoulders and pretend to be Superman. Athletes should honor the flag, the flag is not there to honor them. I think respectfully carrying the flag held high is one thing. Wrapping it around yourself and dancing in front of the fans is not respectful. Not for other countries, but to our FLAG. Show some respect to our symbol. Don't let it be degraded, but remember that the flag is a symbol of something you hope to add to, not to glorify yourself.

My thoughts is that I'm angry.

If I were a world class athlete, I would kindly respond to Mr. Morans comment with, "Sir, I appreciate your concern. I have thought diligently for many hours about the actions I will take if and when I achieve greatness. I understand that my audience may perhaps be sensitive to my actions and I should take proper precautions to insure that I will not offend anyone. But frankly sir, fuck you, bitch. "

I see the reasoning behind that, but the only people I can see having their viewpoint shifted to a more positive angle through that all fit under the "political brownie points" catagory when made happy, and those'll be credited to the first bonehead to grab em' with some stupid comment. Either that or they are paranoid about crazy people.

Re: "U.S. athletes told to cool it at Olympics"

Limiting American flag waving is very un-American. Can other countries wave their flags exuberantly?

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Originally posted by pocon1
Ok, here is my take on it. The flag is not there for athletes to drape around their shoulders and pretend to be Superman. Athletes should honor the flag, the flag is not there to honor them. I think respectfully carrying the flag held high is one thing. Wrapping it around yourself and dancing in front of the fans is not respectful. Not for other countries, but to our FLAG. Show some respect to our symbol. Don't let it be degraded, but remember that the flag is a symbol of something you hope to add to, not to glorify yourself.

Makes sense to me!

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"Unfortunately, using the flag as a prop or a piece of apparel or .... is becoming part of our society..."

- (I <3 selective quoting!)

Yes, this beahaviour must be put to a stop! ;) (kinda SFW - bikinis)

http://www.fantasiawear.com/ImagesSwim/CR-THHP-SS.jpg
http://www.fantasiawear.com/ImagesCostumes/mc-d677.jpg

A couple more thoughts. The only time that a flag is draped on an American officially is when the person has died for the country. Anything less takes away from the impact and the importance of the ceremony. These people are not dying for their country, they competed in an athletic event and won.
Also, are these people really competing for America, or do they happen to be top-level athletes who are from America? They are not great athletes because they are American, they just happen to be on our team. Celebrate the athletes for the accomplishments, but understand that these are only games. There are only a few times that politics are really entangled in the olympics. Jesse Owens kicking racist and xenophobic ass at the Berlin games in 1936. U.S. winning the gold in Hockey vs the russians in 1980. but normally, that is not what the olympics is about. It's just a game.

I think that the title of the article should be rephrased. It is obviously there to catch people's attentions and to incite controversy. I think that Mike Moran has a point -- American atheletes (and Americans in general) should be mindful and sensitive about how they are viewed in the world. He is warning them not to provoke anyone and I think that is the main point. He doesn't want the atheletes to celebrate with any less enthusiasm, he just tells them to be mindful and not do anything that will hurt America's image. I think waving the flag is OK, but it would be wise to not run off with it and disrespect it as mentioned at the Sydney games.

As pocon1 writies, "The flag is not there for athletes to drape around their shoulders and pretend to be Superman." To me, that is disrespecting the flag.

Looking from peoples reply, i can see exactly why the athletes have been asked to keep things basic.

Put simply, however much you think that it's their 'god given right' or what not to dance around in that flag, the rest of the world simply takes it as an arrogant show of patriotism.
America hasn't really being endearing itself as of late, and i personally think that if they can just play things down for the next few months, not jump up and down at every little thing concerning them, then they can come and play with the older kids properly:)

If not, then they can continue getting the back of the worlds hand and be thoroughly confused as to why.

The Olympics ought to be cancelled. Any such pressurised, conflict-of-nations type gathering is a recipe for disaster, given the current climate.

I'll still watch, avidly; and with fingers crossed for all our boys and girls.

America has never endeared itself to anyone - we have a habit of pissing off someone at sometime. (How many nations boycotted the 1984 Olympics? )

If an athlete, who's trained long and hard to get to the level that they are at, why shouldn't they be allowed to celebrate those victories.

America and Americans tend to be rather patriotic, why should that be a problem for anyone?

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Originally posted by stevie667
America hasn't really being endearing itself as of late, and i personally think that if they can just play things down for the next few months, not jump up and down at every little thing concerning them, then they can come and play with the older kids properly:)
.

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I think our pride gets the best of us sometimes. Our arrogance definitely needs to be toned down a bit, at least until some of the current political and global climate we put outselves into cools down. I realize our athletes have trained their asses off and have thought about what they would do if they won gold. But what they need to realize is the world does not revolve around America. There are much bigger and badder issues at stake and the should show some restraint and respect for the other countries participating in the Olympics.

If I remember right, the modern olympics was instituted by a frenchman who wanted to bring man and countries together to share in the spirit of athletics. That is one of the reasons why there were no paid athletes for so many years, because it was supposed to be pure competition with everyone coming together. It was not supposed to be political.

Celebrating an athletic victory is no kind of political statement. I think its ridiculous and if they're telling this to americans than they should also be telling it to every other nation participating in the games.

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You're only degrading the flag if you intend to degrade it. If someone else is offended that's their problem.

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Originally posted by theusername
Celebrating an athletic victory is no kind of political statement. I think its ridiculous and if they're telling this to americans than they should also be telling it to every other nation participating in the games.

Yep, exactly. I've heard nothing about other countries being warned the same thing.

If I was a participant, I would get the largest flag tattoo I could on my back, and in the winners' circle, lift up my shirt and flex my back muscles to maek it wave while singing the national anthem. I'm not usually a flag-waver, but to try to deny me that right would piss me off.

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The U.S. Olympic officials are ordering your athletes to calm down if they win an event not the International Olympic committee.

I don't care either way about this whole subject, but most people I know think that americans are obnoxious and over the top when they win....As an american, you may not notice that fact.

i'm with you phred. that's bull crap. i mean, i don't approve of this whole war thing, and all that other stuff, and i understand how the world percieves the U.S. but if i won the 400m at the Olympics, i'm grabbin' the flag!!!!

wow, I now hate the olympic comittee, what nerve...

Maybe you should write a little letter to medal winners letting them know how they should and should not celebrate when they win a medal.

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Originally posted by splck

I don't care either way about this whole subject, but most people I know think that americans are obnoxious and over the top when they win....As an american, you may not notice that fact.

Re: "U.S. athletes told to cool it at Olympics"

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Originally posted by phredgreen
now i understand that the united states has pretty well fucked up its image around the world, but in sporting events, celebration and pride for one's country in victory is an important part of the whole process. some restraint is fine, but not even waving the flag is too much for me. your thoughts?

Totally agree with you onthis one. It has almost become part of olympic tradition for an athlete to wave his or her country's flag as a celebration of who they represent in the arena. I don't really think ppl who watch the olympics would be as "uncivilized" to view an american athlete or any athlete waving their flas as a threat.

AAAAARRRRGGGGGGGGG!!!! I AM GETTTING SO FUCKING SICK AND TIRED OF THESE GOD DAMN PC WHORES TRYING TO TELL US THAT WE CAN'T BE FUCKING PROUD OF OUR COUNTRY!! FUCK YOU!! YOU DON'T FUCKING LIKE, GET THE FUCK OUT, DON'T YOU DARE FUCKING TELL ME I CAN'T WAVE A FUCKING FLAG OF WHERE I AM FROM WHEN EVER I FUCKING GOD DAMN WELL FEEL LIKE IT YOU SPINLESS LOW LIFE FUCKING WHORES!!!!!!!!! YOU GO GET SHOT AT SO PEOPLE CAN BE FREE EXPRESS THEMSELVES THEN TELL ME THAT IS IS WRONG FOR THEM TO FUCKING USE THAT RIGHT THAT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE RISKED THEIR LIFES OVER THE YEARS FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE11 FUCK YOU, FUCK YOU EAT FUCK, AND FUCK YOU!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, about the caps people, but this is becomeing a touchy issue for me.....