Cannon Firing Line
What's Happened To The Olympics?
By Ellis G. Cannon
PSR Publisher

Actually, that's an unfair question, or at least one that would be difficult to answer without a willingness to dedicate one's entire existence to answering. More specifically, this column is more interested in examining what surrounds the Olympic Games.

Before we vent, let's get it straight at the outset and acknowledge that the Olympic spirit, in its purest form, has traditionally been one of the bright lights in competition. It is something to admire and, if possible, nurture. Unfortunately, with the Olympics now headlining professional athletes, that idea is gone.

That, of course, is if by 'traditionally' you mean before the Civil War.

The sad truth is that there is almost nothing about the Olympics that remain 'in its purest form'.

Never was that more evident than during the Opening Ceremonies of the Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, where sappiness was taken to disturbingly new heights. These lidlifters, admittedly, have been all about reaching new demographics by putting on glorified television shows for years. That's been the case wherever the Games are held.

In our case, there was almost nothing about the Friday night production that was not scary. Giant icicles, skating buffaloes and re-enactments of the trains reaching the American West have a way of creating that type of reaction.

That's unless you fall into the demographics that such productions are directed to or are otherwise being paid by someone to say just the opposite, in which case you hear testimonials waxing romantically about such foolishness. If you know people who fit in neither category, but nonetheless have that opinion, run away from them immediately. As if they were radioactive.

The network broadcasts long ago became shameful, not only in terms of what the commentators have to say, but also because of what they focus on. Face it, if there has been any tragedy of any kind in a competitor's life, you'll hear about it. That's not by accident; there have been conscious decisions to seek them out. They make for better soap operas, so they are "in". Stories of training details, athletics and competition aren't quite that appealing, at least to the new demographics, so you don't quite see as much of them.

Don't forget musical score that accompany the zillions of super-slow motion replays. They are designed to make you cry, pure and simple, regardless of how badly they mar the broadcast.

For years, we have seen network cameras, regardless of sport, seek out the emotional reaction of participant's friends and relatives. That's bad enough. The Olympic coverage has raised the entire spectacle to an art form.

We now have Broadway productions. This schlock is tailored to the venue of the Games, well-constructed and choreographed shows that offer little substance.

Take the Native-Americans who were part of the Opening Ceremonies. Let's assume that they weren't paid actors. If that was the case, wasn't it moving to see the chieftains offer a greeting, without translation, in their native dialect? Perhaps, if you are into authenticity, although for all we know the representatives said something like "Thanks for nothing".

It's all about make-believe and without value. For that matter, I have no idea what the entire production was about, which is likely just a reflection on my own limitations. As one of my callers mentioned during our Saturday show dedicated to this topic, however, what value is symbolism if every aspect of it has to be explained to the viewer? If that's the case, either the symbolism is too far over everyone's head or the viewer is an idiot.

Those are not real good choices.

Think about it. What in the world were the buffaloes doing out there on skates? What was that "wagon" doing coming down from the top of both sides of the stadium? What was up with the icicles? How about the tyke described as "the child of light?, or his accompanying pals, "the children of light"?

What about that group carrying in the Olympic flag, the one that was announced as it entered the building, "Ladies and gentlemen, the Olympic Flag has entered the building". My God, how precocious, how self-absorbed! It's a flag, ladies and gentlemen!

And while having John Glenn, an honorable man, part of any crew is cool, does anyone have an explanation for Steve Spielberg getting the call-up to serve on the same team as John and hold up the rear outside corner of the flag?

Again, maybe you are part of the demographic that these shows are intended to target. In that case, you probably think this viewpoint is lame and that my appreciation of art and entertainment is probably lacking. If that's the case, fine, you win. I'm guilty. I don't need to or otherwise want this.

I like the Olympic spirit and the competition. I like athletes working out and training in years between Games when nobody is watching or paying their bills. I like the small and obscure in this context and not the blaring and overstated.

Then again, there's good news for both views. The Closing Ceremonies will be here in no time. They will be similarly produced and overdone. You will cry. I will laugh.

And I'll get another three hour show out of them.

The "Pittsburgh Sports Report with Ellis Cannon" can be heard Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on ESPN Radio 1250.