National Anthem at the olympics

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I was taught that during the Star Bangled Banner to face the flag, stand up straight, arms at my sides and face the flag.

I have never won a gold medal so I am just guessing BUT I think perhaps the athletes may have been overwhelmed. The physical and mental demands of performing some sort of atheletic feat well enough to be considered the best in the world - strongest, fastest, most talented - and to then stand before the world to have the accomplishment acknowledged must put you in a unique mental place. I believe as many athletes sang as didn't. Maybe they were standing there, up on the medal podium trying to savory every moment having committed themselves to a sport for 4 years, 6 years, 10 years - however long.

I watched the Olympics and saw our athletes not only perform incredible feats but display a tremendous amount of good sportsmanship. For example Dara Torres held a heat up so her competitor could change her racing suit. May- Trainor and Walsh graciously moved to the other court so the Brazilian team (who were late arriving at the event) could have the pick of the court.

I believe you see what you look for. The youth of today has as many talented, generous, concerned souls as other generations. You just have to look for them.

JMO.
Leah
 
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Leah, I agree with you wholeheartedly!
 
leah said:
I was taught that during the Star Bangled Banner to face the flag, stand up straight, arms at my sides and face the flag.

I have never won a gold medal so I am just guessing BUT I think perhaps the athletes may have been overwhelmed. The physical and mental demands of performing some sort of atheletic feat well enough to be considered the best in the world - strongest, fastest, most talented - and to then stand before the world to have the accomplishment acknowledged must put you in a unique mental place. I believe as many athletes sang as didn't. Maybe they were standing there, up on the medal podium trying to savory every moment having committed themselves to a sport for 4 years, 6 years, 10 years - however long.

I watched the Olympics and saw our athletes not only perform incredible feats but display a tremendous amount of good sportsmanship. For example Dara Torres held a heat up so her competitor could change her racing suit. May- Trainor and Walsh graciously moved to the other court so the Brazilian team (who were late arriving at the event) could have the pick of the court.

I believe you see what you look for. The youth of today has as many talented, generous, concerned souls as other generations. You just have to look for them.

JMO.
Leah
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You are so right. It's all in what you want to see.:yourock:
 
The majority of athletes are good people and we should be proud of them and they should be proud of themselves.

But, here is another side to the Olympics. Since I lived in the Olympic Village for several weeks with the athletes, trainers and dignitaries....I got to see a very unseemly side of many of these people.

Robbery and credit card fraud was rampant among them. After many of the athletes finished their events....they just went wild and threw all moral values away. I witnessed many things first hand and had my faith shaken several times by their actions. Those are possibly the same ones that see no need to salute the flag or respect our national anthem.

I wonder if some of the countries including ours put them on a pedestal and they feel they can do no wrong because they are worshiped so much.

Carol Bice
 
It saddens me how people act during the National Anthem, and no, the last line of the anthem is not Gentlemen, start your engines or play Ball!

The improper flying of the flag is another pet peeve of mine.
 
Olympians are people from many walks of life and from many different places. A medal doesn't give them character, ethics, manners etc. It is not a cure for bad behaviour.

V
 
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shannonlovesflowers said:
When did you live in the Olympic Village Carol?? And Why????

I'm so curious..
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Shannon, the Olympic Committee hired me to come into the village and set up a floral shop in the business section of the Olympic Village. That means I had a structure, but, had to completely build a business from the ground up.....started with painting the inside, stocking inventory, setting up computer systems, preparing a van with security so I could bring in fresh flowers daily, obtaining designers, etc.

It took several weeks to set it up and get all the security needed. (I have never felt as safe as I did there because of outstanding security within the Village) Each week, a different group of AIFD designers came in to work the shop. A few of them are Flower chatters.

Our job was to cater to the athletes, coaches, dignitaries, heads of state, etc. We did not do the bouquets they gave to the winners. Everyday there were dinners or parties or events within the complex and we had to provide them with the flowers.

People from all countries of the world would come into the shop and purchase bouquets or loose flowers. At the opening ceremonies, we provided 50,000 sunflowers that we handed out to each person attending the event.

I could write a book about experiences and thoughts concerning this part of my industry experience. Most of it was really good, some was frustrating, got almost no sleep, but, I am glad I had that experience.
Carol Bice
 
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Rights without Respect or Responsibility

shannonlovesflowers said:
OK,


I even support the rights of people
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This is not a critque of your statement. You are correct.

But I wonder why "rights" are spoken of so ofter but never associated with "respect" and "responsibility".

When excercising our rights without respect to others is wrong. I wonder if that could be written into some of our laws on "personal rights"?
 
Tom Carlson said:
This is not a critque of your statement. You are correct.

But I wonder why "rights" are spoken of so ofter but never associated with "respect" and "responsibility".

When excercising our rights without respect to others is wrong. I wonder if that could be written into some of our laws on "personal rights"?
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well Tom,

Rights are different from respect or responsibilities.

However Maybe I should have said I respect the rights of people, even If i don't agree with their actions.

And what I feel is respectful or disrespectful may not be the same as other people.
So that would be a bit touchy...
 
Carol Bice said:
Shannon, the Olympic Committee hired me to come into the village and set up a floral shop in the business section of the Olympic Village. That means I had a structure, but, had to completely build a business from the ground up.....started with painting the inside, stocking inventory, setting up computer systems, preparing a van with security so I could bring in fresh flowers daily, obtaining designers, etc.

It took several weeks to set it up and get all the security needed. (I have never felt as safe as I did there because of outstanding security within the Village) Each week, a different group of AIFD designers came in to work the shop. A few of them are Flower chatters.

Our job was to cater to the athletes, coaches, dignitaries, heads of state, etc. We did not do the bouquets they gave to the winners. Everyday there were dinners or parties or events within the complex and we had to provide them with the flowers.

People from all countries of the world would come into the shop and purchase bouquets or loose flowers. At the opening ceremonies, we provided 50,000 sunflowers that we handed out to each person attending the event.

I could write a book about experiences and thoughts concerning this part of my industry experience. Most of it was really good, some was frustrating, got almost no sleep, but, I am glad I had that experience.
Carol Bice
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which Olympics was it Carol??
 
Carol Bice said:
The majority of athletes are good people and we should be proud of them and they should be proud of themselves.

But, here is another side to the Olympics. Since I lived in the Olympic Village for several weeks with the athletes, trainers and dignitaries....I got to see a very unseemly side of many of these people.

Robbery and credit card fraud was rampant among them. After many of the athletes finished their events....they just went wild and threw all moral values away. I witnessed many things first hand and had my faith shaken several times by their actions. Those are possibly the same ones that see no need to salute the flag or respect our national anthem.

I wonder if some of the countries including ours put them on a pedestal and they feel they can do no wrong because they are worshiped so much.

Carol Bice
Click to expand...

Or maybe they do salute the flag and still act like jerks. It's possible. People can do all sorts of things behind the scenes while acting pious or patriotic in front of others.
Just sayin'.
 
Carol Bice said:
I wonder if some of the countries including ours put them on a pedestal and they feel they can do no wrong because they are worshiped so much.
Click to expand...

Carol, you hit the nail on the head here!!! I think this is true of most athletes (Olympic or professional) as well as celebrities, politicians, corporate bigwigs, clergy...

I think we are so quick to idolize people that we quickly forget that they are not infallible...just people (with talents different than ours). It is an American pastime to put people up on a pedestal and them tear them down...sad but true (if not the gossip newspapers would not have a job).

Leah, I too love what you said, we absolutely see what we want to see!!!!
 
I thought you were talking about the Atlanta Olympics Carol. Although I could not get away, quite a few friends of mine were able to help out. Ty Leslie AIFD was particularly enthusiastic about helping and every once in a while, He loves to relate stories.
 
RWK said:
I thought you were talking about the Atlanta Olympics Carol. Although I could not get away, quite a few friends of mine were able to help out. Ty Leslie AIFD was particularly enthusiastic about helping and every once in a while, He loves to relate stories.
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Yes, Ty Leslie did spend quite a bit of time there with us. I learned to really appreciate him and his work. Since then, I consider him one of my really good friends and I do love his stories. In fact, I think Ty and me are going to be able to do a very large wedding in this next year together in South Carolina for one of my clients.

Carol Bice
 
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