On the Mark: The real Olympic ideal

by Mark Kriegel

Updated: May 8, 2008, 4:50 PM EST

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Mark Kriegel's take on the greedy new Olympic ideal has sparked a spirited debate. Join the discussion!

The images, though disparate — protest and celebration — only seem more magnificent with time. But according to a recent memo issued by the International Olympic Committee, they would each be prohibited at the games this summer in China. The IOC memo forbids athletes from waving flags, and making speeches or gestures that may be interpreted as political. According to the New York Times, which obtained a copy of the letter, athletes are responsible for "all actions, reactions, attitudes or manifestations of any kind" including "their look, external appearance, clothing, gestures and written or oral statements."

Now it seems to me that China could benefit from a couple good doses of protest and celebration. Still, the memo makes explicit the real goal of the Olympic movement. It's not the beauty of unfettered competition. The IOC doesn't want free speech, either; it wants, as my friend Luke Cyphers puts it, free speech for the corporate sponsors.

After all, why else hold the Olympics in a place like China? I'm not exactly going out on a limb in calling the People's Republic a repressive regime (though that's something the Olympians themselves, bound by laws of the host country, probably won't be able to do once they're on Chinese soil). But it also represents the great untapped market.

Athletes can have opinions on Darfur or Tibet; they just can't interfere with Nike or NBC.

This is a relatively new variation on an old story. National Olympic committees were usually loath to offend the host countries. In 1936, under USOC president Avery Brundage, the American team's Jewish sprinters were suddenly replaced lest their appearance upset Adolf Hitler.

What's happened in recent decades owes less to those with fascist leanings like Brundage, and more to those with corporate sympathies like Peter Ueberroth. By '92, Nike's delegates to the Original Dream Team were using the flag to cover the Reebok logo on their warm-ups.

Now, instead of Michael Jordan, Nike — with its considerable interest in China — has to make do with guys like LeBron James. Last year, a journeyman named Ira Newble, then of the Cleveland Cavaliers, asked his teammates to sign an open letter condemning China for its support of Sudan and its willful blindness to the killing in Darfur. James didn't sign. He said he needed more information.

I wonder if James has yet acquired an opinion on Darfur. Or Tibet. Or the Games themselves. More than likely, he already knew all he would know a year ago. Corporate sponsors like athletes who talk without saying anything. It's the Olympic ideal.

On the Mark

In the wake of Eight Belles' death, the animal rights zealots want to punish the jockey.

Don't they understand that, at the track, jockeys are the abused species?

From The New York Times: "Ingrid Newkirk, the president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, said that PETA would launch a series of initiatives designed to discourage fans from attending racetracks."

Me, I'd like to launch a series of initiatives designed to discourage tragic people with nothing better to do from attending PETA rallies.

Why the long face, Ronaldo? (JACQUES DEMARTHON/AFP / Getty Images)

From The Associated Press: "Cross-dressing prostitutes lied when they accused A.C. Milan striker Ronaldo of using drugs and having sex with them during a motel encounter last week."

So who says there are no happy endings?

OK, maybe that isn't the best choice of words.

Why does it feel like Kobe Bryant is running for office?

If I'm Steve Kerr, I'm throwing a lot of money at Jeff Van Gundy.

A federal judge has ruled that Rusty Hardin can continue to represent Roger Clemens in his defamation suit against trainer Brian McNamee.

In other words, the Rocket loses again.

Can't understand LeBron James going 2-for-18 the other night.

Unless he's been studying those John Starks game films.

You think Tony Stewart is just a little upset that he's not even the best driver on his team anymore?

By the way, people shouldn't judge Clemens too harshly for getting biblical with John Daly's ex.

I mean, first of all, which ex are we talking about?

Steinbrenner the Younger has to be outraged about Joba Chamberlain giving up an eighth-inning homer at the Stadium.

No doubt the rest of the American League agrees. It would be a lot better for the kid to give up that homer in the third, and let Kyle Farnsworth pitch the eighth.

Here you go, a sampling of headlines from FOXSports.com's NFL page, May 7, 2008:

So how's that whole image thing coming along? (Chris McGrath / Getty Images)

Passenger backs Bears RB claim of cop abuse
Police: Colts' star WR not a suspect at this point
Reid's son admits he smuggled drugs into jail
Ex-Viking charged with assault on young son
Judge allows ex-Bengal WR to travel for tryout
Falcons' No. 2 tackler hit with battery charge

Obviously, Commissioner Goodell's plan is working to perfection.

Tell you what, though, after sneaking 89 prescription pills into the county jail, Reid's kid has to be pretty popular with the fellas.

The University of West Virginia has rewarded basketball coach Bob Huggins with a $20.5 million guaranteed contract, plus extras like the use of two courtesy cars and performance bonuses based on his team's record in conference play, ticket sales and postseason tournaments.

However, the 12-page document offers no incentive for student-athletes (love that phrase) to actually graduate or make grades.

Remember, this is the same Bob Huggins who graduated fewer than 30 percent of his players (a figure that includes guys who transferred and received diplomas from other schools) in his 16 years at Cincinnati.

If Ozzie Guillen can keep at it, I see him landing a plum role in Wrestlemania XXV.