Monday, January 31, 2011

Mr. Double McTwist 1260 on PCH

Every time I'm near a Lamborghini on Pacific Coast Highway my head does a mini mctwist to see if Shaun White is driving. Our SoCal snowboarder wowed the crowds of Canada with his gold medal performance of the Double McTwist 1260 just as he wows Californians as he cruises along PCH. No doubt that auto was just a "pipe dream" a few years back when he was stoked with ambition and no doubt Shaun feels like the "epitome of cool"

...just like those of us who happen to notice him.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Happy 100th Birthday

The 100th birthday of the Olympics in Atlanta was indeed exciting while I was working for the AOB, Atlanta Olympic Broadcasting. Today, however, would have been my mother’s 100th birthday, therefore will cover the ‘96 games later in the blog and share a bit about how my mom, Marion Wimberg, became so much a part of the Olympic Spirit.

I arrived home from the Mexico ’68 games in time to surprise my mom and dad for their wedding anniversary. Picked up my ’63 VW ragtop beetle in California and drove cross country. Stopped on the mainland close to Absecon Island and painted large white letters “Happy Anniversary” on my windshield, crossed The Margate Bridge and got a police escort as I tooted my way to their front door. Such fun Olympic stories, so many questions; they wanted to hear everything in detail. It was even more fun for me to see their faces light up as I told them of my adventures. My dad loved the stories as much as his anniversary present, a live Mexican beetle with a little gold chain that was decorated with green and red rhinestones. My mom just loved hearing more about the Olympic games.

After I found a place to call home during the ’76 Games in Montreal, I phoned my mom. It did not take much to convince her that she should come to Canada. I can still picture her so clearly. She walked around the venues with great dignity and enthusiasm in her navy blue blazer with a few perfectly sewn Olympic patches. Many people approached her and she would answer their questions with delight. We were invited to several extra curricular activities. Am not quite sure which she liked best, seeing Nadia win gold in gymnastics or being invited to the vip parties. (She did enjoy a bit of shopping as well and she purchased some gold coins. Am not sure where they are today, hmmm.)

Her sense of awe, which she seemed to have every day of her earthly life, was at it’s peak when she experienced The Opening Ceremony at the L.A.’84 Olympics.

For me she continues, along with Baron Pierre de Coubertin, Juan Antonio Samaranch, and Jack Poole, to be an incredibly important part of the Olympic Spirit.

Happy 100th Birthday Marion Wimberg!

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Booing, The Mayor of Tucson, and the Olympic Games

Just heard the mayor of Tucson who is on NPR with Scott Simon. He is attending a national meeting of mayors so soon after the tragic events that took place in his city against democratic congresswoman, Gabrielle Giffords. Among the topics he spoke of was tolerance and "booing".

I've seldom heard booing at the Olympics. Heard it twice in 2004. Feelings of antiwar trumped feelings of tolerance when Team USA entered the Olympic Stadium during Opening and Closing Ceremony and booing was heard loud and clear as it was during the Italy vs Greece Football (Soccer) game.

During the Vancouver Games 2010 at one of the Ice Hockey Games a Canadian explained to me that what I was hearing was NOT a "Boo". It was "Luuuu" that sounded like boo. It was used for a good reason. Roberto Luongo, their beloved goalie on their Gold Medal Ice Hockey Team was cheered on with a long "Luuu".

The Mayor of Tucson said there comes a time when every parent must say "NOT in my home" when or if profanity is spoken by children. (Must say, my dear old dad didn't even allow the word "shut up" in our home. And yet, realize after hearing research about cursing around the world, that it is a language of its own and can be actually quite healthy sometimes. )

At Tucson council meetings the mayor said that if he hears booing he takes the gavel and pounds it. It must sound like "NOT-in-our-city".