What about the guy in lane #5?

 

It is the Summer Olympics. The ultimate world’s competition event. Fills the news pages and on every screen for billions of eyeballs to watch. Flags wave and cheers from spectators when the athlete comes in first. Or second. Or third. They get medals.

What about the guy in lane #5?

Seems thousands of kids trained and practice for years to obtain a spot on their countries team in efforts to compete against the rest of the world for a chance to win a medal. They are the best-of-the-best to run and jump and swing from metal bars or walk on wood attempting to stand on the podium in the spotlight. Only a split second could separate the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place winners. What happens to the 4^th place?

At the end of the day, they count up the medals to reward the country with the most bragging rights…until next time. These kids will grow older and out of shape or lose interest to be replaced by another set of competitors hoping to be #1.

During the Cold War, the sports were nothing more than war games from the Russians against the United States. Supposedly there is more parity throughout the athletes but that lily white runner from Poland doesn’t have a chance in the guy from Kenya. Where are the black riders in the equestrian dressage? Who wants to challenge the Chinese at ping pong?

I won’t purchase any U.S.A. gear or clothing. I won’t take any pride if some kid from Iowa stands atop of the podium. They won’t sell me any cereal. In a couple more weeks, the news will trend to another competition and these kids will have to go back to school or work and practice some more for four more years. No one will remember the bronze winner, much less the guy who came in last.

Maybe viewing the Olympics will get some slugs off the couch to take a walk or for parents to appreciate the energy of their kids wishing some day they could be on television showing off their competition skills with fleeting fame.

The athletic contestants get some gift bags and the memories of having sex on a cardboard bed and eating lots of carbs. Then there are those who trained but didn’t make the cut to even attend the events.