The morning after

Once again, we expect bleary eyes this morning from fans and followers of the exciting Olympic Games that were supposed to end last night, or early this morning (London time). Who can resist waiting for the closing rites which are expected to be, not only colorful, but also a showcase of more British talents and celebrities than during the opening?

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Dessert for all the games and competitions that we had watched through the entire season of the Games, was expected to be the final fight of the most coveted gold medal in basketball, that was to be contested by the two biggest and most powerful teams in the meet, the United States and Spain. Both have already gone through the gauntlet and have proven themselves by beating the other teams in contention along the way. At near dawn this morning, they were to face each other at last. Which one will haul all those gold medals?

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Fans of the American National Basketball Association must have been anxiously watching out for their idols in the NBA, some of whom have been playing for their native countries. Among them are the Gasol brothers of Spain, Pau and Marc, Manu Ginobili of Argentina, and Tony Parker of France. Naturally, they will do their best for their country’s honor. The NBA is a different story, it is only, well, a job. One that has made all of them millionaires. In dollars, at that.

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Meanwhile, I cannot understand why they are making such a big fuss over Jamaica’s Usain Bolt for getting those medals in running. Could his prizes beat those of Michael Phelps, who has put away 22 in all, but who has announced his retirement from swimming already? The latest we hear is that Phelps will take up golf next. Maybe he wants to challenge America’s Tiger Woods? But Phelps, unlike Bolt, is humble and unaffected by his success. Me, I get turned off by the boasting of Bolt. If he continues with his reported lifestyle of partying and endless gorging of rich food, let us see if he will retain his agility and speed for long.

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It will be another four years before we again witness such outstanding and amazing performances as those of the synchronized swimmers of Russia, Spain, China and the other participating countries. Or thrill to the exciting races featuring some of the fastest men and women in the world, with their indomitable fighting spirit and determination to gain honors for their countries.

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By the way, I always watch closely whenever the medals are awarded and the national anthem of the country of the gold medal winner is played and noted that, among them, the Russians are the ones who inevitably sing together with the band. Some Americans do, too, but not Serena Williams, or the four who won the relay race. It is quite inspiring to see the athletes showing love for country, even if only through their participation in their anthem.

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And it was also very interesting to watch the reactions of the winners. The Chinese often look very disappointed when they are not the gold medalists. It seems winning is everything for them. A very admirable winner, albeit of a bronze medal only, was diver Tom Daley of Great Britain who jumped all around, hugging and kissing everybody, whose kababayans dunked him into the pool in glee, and whose family were so excited, you forget that it was American Dave Boudia who won the gold!

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Of course, we experienced a dull ache thinking of the Big Fat Zero that our own delegation was bringing home. And I was quite aghast to hear most of them say they still expect to try again in 2016! Goodness! Do they not realize that if they were mediocre now, they could be even worse in 2016? Maybe it is just the trip and the opportunity they seek. Have pity on your country, please. Let others have the chance next time.*

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