USVI-On-Line

The strong political dimension to the Olympics makes it much different than other athletic events. This is a primetime PR/propaganda opportunity. Countries get an opportunity to present a well-managed image of their country and their people. After the Bode Miller show in Torino, the USOC developed a mandatory etiquette training program for the China Olympics. The athletes are being sent forth as "Team USA", as "civilian ambassadors" who are "representing their country." A lot of athletics, but also a lot of image and a lot of politics. When an athlete is being sent as a representative of their country, their country is expecting that the athlete won't turn out to be an embarassment. If the athlete can cash in on the opportunities for fame and fortune, that's fine, as long as they don't embarass their country.


As for the "My Kind of Woman" award, my vote goes to Joannie Rochette.

I thought their celebration was refreshing. And, if you've ever played hockey or hung with hockey players, you would understand.

Too tough 2 get through this......bennnwtchin' from STX, it's all awesome....don't you really think? Question is another great parade in STX Domminica/VI, friendship parade..... Oh, please, someone, STOP the parades!! But, with love...

I can't help but wonder if those faces were male not female if it would have been a big deal at all.

Personally I loved it and thought they were quite bada#$!

The mens' gold medal game just ended. Almost all of the players have to catch planes to rejoin their NHL teams. This was a break from their professional careers for them.

For the women, winning the gold was the peak of their careers. Let them enjoy.

Congratulations to Hockey Canada for winning two golds before the "hometown" crowd!

As a female competitive athlete for most of my life (volleyball, softball) I have often celebrated in a not-so-ladylike manner -- but never on the playing field/court. That's where, in my opinion, the negativity lies with the Canadian team's celebration. It wasn't that they celebrated with cigars and beer or that they were women, it was that they did it on the ice arena, which many would say was disrespectful of the sport, the sponsors, the maintenance crew. Driving the Zamboni -- definitely not cool.

Congratulations to BOTH the Canadian men's and women's hockey teams for winning gold!!

flip-flop wrote:I can't help but wonder if those faces were male not female if it would have been a big deal at all.

Personally I loved it and thought they were quite bada#$!

Interesting point except you won't see men (or women) celebrating on the field/ice/court like that because it is simply not proffessional. Ever see any drinks or smokes on the field after the Super Bowl? After the World Series? After the Mens Hockey gold medal? Any other Olympic event? Nope, in the locker room yes. On the field no

I don't think the commotion is because they are young women but because they behaved badly.

Well, I was at a Red Sox game when we clinched our division and I can assure you that there was plenty of celebrating on the field. Players brought out champagne and sprayed it on the crowd (which was actually not so great because it was a cold evening!). IIRC, Jonathan Papelbon was running around the field with a beer box on his head. I don't see why it's such a big deal. They were excited and having fun celebrating a huge win. Just my opinion, of course!

I certainly saw pictures and news footage on NBC of Lindsey Vonn opening a bottle of champagne and enjoying a cup on the slopes. AFTER the thing happened w/ the Canada hockey team.

There are many examples of athletes celebrating in the arena, on the field, on the track, on the slopes after winning.







I still assert they got attention because they were women and their behavior to some appeared to be "unladylike" - champagne is apparently ok but cigars and beer is not.

No one got hurt, no one was reckless. They were just having fun and it is clear that they never intended for it to be public, unlike the above examples where clearly there was an audience in attendance.

They regret it, they apologized. Bottom line is it was made into a media frenzy because it involved female athletes playing against cast - smoking cigars/drinking beer.

I have followed basketball (as a player and fan) all of my life and have been part of some very successful teams and have seen plenty of celebrating on the court. Cutting down the nets for example.

I personally believe their behavior offended some people's sensibilities and perceptions of what female athletes should be.