Hi Nick,

Yes, even the ancient Greeks were barely civilized, but at least their games at Olympia brought a temporary end to endless war between participating city-states.

Aren't you glad that today's Olympics are so much more civilized, peaceful, each beautiful athlete a paragon of dedication and a model for our next generations ?

Maybe back to topic :) Clearly, if every Olympics were held in Greece, international funds would be required each time, and for maintenance of venues in between. How would that work ? That raises the spectre of the United Nations, and all the politicking that that would involve. Unless one country was prepared to take on all the costs and hold each Games in its own territory ?

Joe

Today's Aztecs are peaceful and don't rip out war-prisoners' hearts for the gods. But they are not called "Aztecs" today. It's dopey and not performance enhancing to call the games "Olympic", just as those car tyres are not the same as Olympic chariot wheels. The fraud is when the maidens light the flame for the torch when they are Greek Orthodox church and not worshippers of Zeus.
How about we commemorate Anzac Day with American uniforms , at US Arlington cemetery and play Yankee Doodle on the trombone with rap dancing?

Hi Nick,

So, I take it that you're just another of the anti-sport wowsers then ?

Joe

Nah I'm keen on the stuff and admire top skill in anything ,and the endurance and extreme effort of athletic contest. Don't agree with calling it Olympic though. Spam , cheats, abuse , Olympic Games.

Nick,

Yes, I've listened or watched every internationalist Olympic Games since Helsinki, since Nurmi, Zapotek, Kuts, Betty Cuthbert, so many amazing athletes.

If we could keep drug cheats out, like those from Russia and China for whom winning is everything no matter how, they would be even more wonderful. There's a program on the ABC tonight on the doping industry in East Germany, it should be very revealing.

Joe

If they do bring back fighting to the death and ripping out intestines , breaking fingers and dislocating ankles , then NO pain-killers , OK? It probably led to the Roman Colosseum and fighting against lions , gladiators and poms. Did they need pain-killers? no