Putting the Olympic soap opera into perspective.

Commentary: putting the Olympic soap opera into perspective.

By Dahn Shaulis
Ultramarathon World.

Las Vegas, Nevada (UW) - The last thirty years have been spent smashing idols. Idol smashing has included war protests and toppling of presidents. Politicians, religious figures, corporations, technology, doctors, and athletes have been critically examined and sometimes rightfully reduced to ashes.

But as a critic of organized sport and the Olympics, I find myself in the strange position of defending them. Yes, money and social class are still great barriers in participant sport. Yes, corruption and violence are a part of big-business spectator sport. That is the dark side of sport that critics have been talking about since the 1870s!

But what may have started as healthy skepticism has turned to unrealistic and unhealthy cynicism. Indeed, there is a good side to sport that many have forgotten. Through great struggles, sports and the Olympics have become more inclusive.

People of many nationalities, women, elders, racial and ethnic minorities, and physically and mentally challenged people now have greater access to sports and physical activities. Moreover, participant sport has the potential to help us become healthier, more emotionally balanced people.

The greater problem is that there aren't enough people involved in personal or club sports, physical activity, and exercise. We need to turn the mirror of skepticism around, at our own bloated and frail tv-watching societies, and expect more from ourselves.

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