Cartoon Pen & Watercolour Copyright 2008 Jean Burman
It’s hard to believe it’s all over.
Over the past two weeks we have borne witness to too many awe inspiring record breaking achievements to mention individually here. What has struck me the most has been not so much the Gold medals won… but the individual struggle in the attempt to capture one.
The stories of “almost getting there… but not quite” have been compelling. And the loss wasn’t because the athlete didn’t try hard enough… or wasn’t good enough (sometimes there was just a hair’s breadth between the times or performances)… but because someone has to win. And needless to say… the winner takes all… even if by only a fraction of a millisecond… or by the placement of one foot… deemed to be just millimetres out of line.
Saturday’s synchronised swimming was nothing short of “amazing”. As was the rhythmic gmnastics (with rope apparatus). I didn’t necessarily agree with the judges and believe with all my heart that Belarus did far better than Russia… but so what… it was nonetheless absolutely “wonderful” to see such dedication, discipline, cooperation and commitment to the task at hand.
But these are the traits that must surely be the hallmark of all Olympic achievement.
So did Michael Phelps’ size 14 feet really propel him to greatness? No… not without his years of dedicated training and the will to do it.
Did Kerry Walsh’s height give her an advantage in getting the ball so effectively across the net in the beach volleyball? Sure… but not without her commitment to purpose.
And physical advantage doesn’t explain how little Kristi Harrower… the formidable number 10 with the Opals Australian Women’s Basketball Team… manages to do what she does so well from below the level of everyone else’s armpit!
There was success against the odds… with Anna Meares winning silver… after her massive claw back from a C2 spinal injury endured in a crash during competition just 8 months ago.
And there was terrible loss… with Liu Xiang’s dramatic withdrawal from competition bringing shock and disappointment to billions. Nonetheless… the athlete courageously lined up on the blocks in an attempt to fearlessly carry on… despite a catastrophic achilles heel injury that was set to prevent him from doing the job. Yet… incredibly… the will was still there.
My only small disappointment was Stephanie Rice’s acceptance of Seven network’s $700,000 enticement not to appear on rival network Nine’s 60 minutes program last night along with the rest of the Aussie contingent. And Michael Phelps absence from the closing ceremony due to endorsement commitments elsewhere. Seems that money gets in the way of everything. Shame that.
But all medals and prospective endorsements aside… the Games of the 29th Olympiad have (in my opinion) been a huge success in human terms.
They have given insight into the immense human struggle to reach an individual’s top form. They have given courage and inspiration to those who witnessed that struggle against the odds. They have brought peace and co-operation between countries unheard of through diplomatic or political process. They have shown us how to win with courage… and how to lose with grace… (and in some cases without it!) (grin)
The Olympic Games has brought a country that had previously been little understood out into the spotlight for all to see. We may not agree with all that she does… but China’s entry on to the world stage through the hosting of these Olympics has… in my view… been a complete success. The world’s cultural and ethical differences can only be resolved through openness and understanding… compromise and co-operation.
The Olympic Games… despite the nationalistic emphasis… has gone a very long way toward bridging the gulf that unnecessarily divides us.
One World – One Dream… is no longer a dream.
It really happened.
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After reading your intro Jean..I have to agree. As you know I am not a fan of some of the practices of some countries, but to see (and I did relent and watched some of the events!) the achievements of the atheletes who pitted themselves against the rest of the world (and sometimes under much duress..heat and pollution!) was indeed a much appreciated glimpse of what can happen when all work together towards a common goal. Yep I’m proud to be an Aussie..but my pride extends into gratitude that the outcome of the Olympics was about competition and not a platform for terrorism or power mongering.
Jools… I guess we have to be careful not to prejudge people and cultures we don’t fully understand. We all know that the media (and popular opinion) are not always the best reliable source when it comes to accurate unbiased information. Often circumstances are beaten up for a variety of reasons by various parties for self serving purposes. Sometimes (a lot of the time) things are not as they seem… and issues are not always clear cut and easy to resolve.
From all reports China were magnificent hosts. The people were friendly polite and welcoming and the events were well organised and safe… and the mood was happy and upbeat. All the scaremongering in the press about terrorism came to naught. We can thank goodness for that… but let’s face it… nothing was left to chance by Chinese authorities in making sure that security for the event was second to none. I think they did a pretty good job all in all…
I meant to comment on your cartoon Jean..very good! You could apply that scenario to many situations!
Hey… thanks Jools… that means a lot to me. I really (really) enjoy doing the cartoons! It’s funny how often life situations can be turned into an idea for a cartoon. LOL Hopefully soon I will have a dedicated gallery for them up here on the blog. I can’t wait to see them all put together in one place. I am wondering if there will be some sort of common theme emerge from the collection? I can’t even remember some of them so it will be fun and interesting to see.
I meant to say here too… this cartoon was inspired by Kerry Walsh’s performance in the beach volley ball comp at the Olympics. She’s so tall… and I loved her effortless lobbing of the ball over the heads of all comers. To say her performance was “over and above” the call of duty would be “understating” it! (((raucous chuckles)))
Hey Jean..to see all of your cartoons together, would indeed be a treat!!!!
I have to admit, the softy in me was in constant battle with the cynic. I wept often at the victories, but then when Michael Phelps goes and signs a gazillion dollar deal with Wheaties I turn back into a grinch.
Love the cartoon, Jean.
Yeah… I know exactly what you mean John. It’s a tussle isn’t it? I have this rather bad habit of trying to find the good in things and people. Sometimes it gets really hard… and some times it’s just downright impossible. But as far as the Olympics was concerned… I think I watched just enough of it to still come away untainted and with a relatively optomistic upbeat! (grin)
It appears to have been a largely unpopular topic judging by the interest here on the blog… so I thank you (and Jools) for your interest… and for taking the time to comment (as always) thanks John.
Michael Phelps attends the University of Michigan but does not swim for them as he turned professional when he graduated from high school. He does help coach the team.
The reports say he suffered ADHD as a child (this may or may not be correct given the propensity of the media to invent and twist) but it might go some way toward explaining his sporting genius. Those who suffer are far from dumb… and do in fact often possess a superior level of intelligence in certain areas that often translates into exceptional success as the person grows older. Phelps’ immense stature (and his size 14 feet) no doubt helped him as well! LOL
You’re so right about ADHD, Jean. I’ve coached ADHD kids who were splendid athletes. Also, some wonderful acting students. Both acivities require high levels of concentratrion. The secret with them is to find the thing they’re interested in. When that happens they have anything but “attention deficit.” I believe the kids in school who are diagnosed with it get bored because their minds are racing way ahead of the rest.
Couldn’t agree more John. Boredom is DEFINITELY at the heart of attention deficit. Give any of these kids a purpose… something they really believe in… and not only is there no longer a problem… they often excel beyond all expectation. A lot can be said for them to have someone who truly believes in them as well. That’s what makes what you are doing so worthwhile to these kids John.
MY grandson is rapidly getting an immense stature 6ft 3 in and size 13 feet. He was 14 in March. He plays soccer. He is handsomer than Phelps in my opinion.
Jean, I once was doing a performance of my one-person “Einstein” for elementary school kids. The school version is shortened, with a QandA at the end allowing the kids to ask Einstein questions (something I don’t do with adult audiences). I called on one boy and he asked a couple of superb questions, then followed up my answer with another good one. All his questions were far more interesting and astute than what the other kids were asking. At that point a teacher stopped him. Afterward she came to me and apologized for him, saying he was always full of questions like that. I asked her if he was ADHD and she confirmed what I’d already figured out, that he was. He was the smartest kid in the room.
I agree with all that you have said (Jean, John and Roger…I cannot make a judgement on that!! Lol!) I have come across many children with “deficits”, autism is another strange phenomenon. It is similar to ADHD in that both cases the children can be disruptive or destructive..depending on the situation. I have given these children roles to play or responsibility within the teamwork of a theatre production..and they have delivered with surprising results. I have also seen children who struggle with speech and communication until you give them another way…music, art and drama. I am certain that they know they have affected their audience and that makes them shine all the brighter!
Gosh Roger… your grandson is going to be a big bloke when he grows up! That’s wonderful!
John… it’s the secondary behaviours that are the real problem with ADD and ADHD. When kids are excluded from mainstream classes because of behaviour… ostracised and further alienated from their peers… this is when the problems really escalate. Apologising for this boy only served to further underline this teacher’s lack of understanding and inability to competently handle her young charge. Sad isn’t it?
Jools… ADD and then ADHD was the diagnosis of choice for a while… but now… as parents and professionals cast around for more high faluting answers to those confusing childhood behavioural problems… autism has become the new big thing. I doubt that very many children truly suffer from autism… certainly not as many as are formally diagnosed. As with ADD and ADHD sometimes it simply helps to give it a label. Somehow that makes it all feel so much better. LOL
I see that these children…whatever the title of their “problem” are actually quite special Jean. I have seen these kids sitting in rooms with no real connection to what normally goes on – until…another way is presented to them and then something inside them clicks and then they just fly! There is a fine line between genious and madness…as such! ADD was around when I was a kid, then it became ADHD (just add another letter and another word to confuse us all!), but I think autism has been a seperate thing for quite a while. ADHD kids tend to be non stop buzzing, where as autistic kids having more of a floating quality about them…they drift in and out. Either way, they all need special understanding and guidance to help them connect. Thats the part that I like!
Yes you’re so right Jools. These kids do need special understanding and appropriate handling no matter what it is that makes them different!
But there are a few distinctions that should be made here.
Kids with ADD aren’t usually overactive or disruptive… just inattentive.
Kids with ADHD are always overactive, disruptive… (as well as inattentive)… there are many variables.
But ADD and ADHD are entirely different conditions to Autism… though admittedly they do share some common symptoms. ADD and ADHD is a developmental issue and often improves with maturity. Autism is for life.
The early obvious difference in children who suffer autism… is the child’s inability to maintain eye contact or express emotion appropriately. Research is ongoing… and hopefully one day more will be known.