The Olympics are Coming

Well it is almost time for the Olympics again. The only problem is I am not sure how I feel about the whole affair. When you add the political turmoil of the Games being in China and all the issues that go along with that with the doping scandals of various nations it is hard to get excited about things.

I have to say that I agree with the idea of not asking athletes to sacrifice their dreams to make a political statement for their country. Especially when we all buy things made in China on a regular basis. A series of acts that has a greater influence on the state of affairs in that country or any other country for that matter that happens to have questionable human rights and labor law issues. In fact a large number of products I sell on a regular basis have some roots in China or Taiwan.

It is also hard to know whether having the Games in China will have a long term positive impact on some of the issues in question. Will having all these eyes on their Nation make the Chinese leaders take notice of the changes that need to occur?

The current doping situation is equally frustrating and distracting. I find it so hard to watch and be inspired by such incredible athletic talent when that little voice in the back of my head is asking whether they have achieved that level of excellence on their own.

Being a cycling fan I have to say I have had about enough. This year for the first time in a long while I did not follow the Tour other than to check the results online each evening. Quite frankly I am tired of hearing about the dopers not to mention the BS they come up with once they are caught.

At least I have the comfort of looking forward to watching two really amazing guys I know compete against the best in the world at this years Olympics. Two guys who I can trust are as clean as you get. Zach Bell who I got to know a couple years ago while he was in and out of K-Town is racing the Points Race and Madison on the Velodrome and Simon Whitfield a long time childhood friend is looking to recapture his crown as Olympic Champion. These two will give me at least two things to look forward to at these games and with any luck there will be a lot more positives to come from the Games as well.

Go Canada!