Yes, I have issues with this apparent imbalance. Here's what I wrote - and here's the direct link to the piece:
Nothing 'tragic' in World Cup lossYour turn: Do people make too much of spectator sports? Would the world be better off if folks throttled their fanaticism back a bit?
Published Tuesday, July 11, 2006
The London Free Press
Watching coverage of Italy's World Cup victory over France on Sunday, it was easy to see how some folks miss the whole point of sport.
Italian fans spilled into the streets and justifiably celebrated their nation's shining moment. The sheer joy of the moment confirmed the unifying power of sport. Dejected French fans, on the other hand, used words such as tragedy and disaster to describe the outcome.
On a day when yet another Canadian soldier was killed in Afghanistan, it's preposterous that people would characterize a game where players kick a ball into a net as tragic or disastrous.
Tragic is a family whose son isn't coming home. Tragic is a country that can't seem to move past a fractured history of unimaginable violence and hopelessness. Tragic is not the outcome of a mere game.
France will have another chance in four years. No doubt soccer fans everywhere will be counting the days. But life goes on after you lose a football match. The real world isn't always as forgiving.
-30-
oh dont get me started...
ReplyDeleteum yes... there is too much going into sports... yes they are talented and such but teachers and education could use the money a heck of a lot more than the sports... people might laugh at me saying that but if education was funded the same way sports was, schools would be as wonderful as some of the arenas!
How about when an athlete thanks God for winning the game? Was God angry or punishing the other team?
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, Carmi, I am participating in the Complimenting Complimenter's Summer of Compliments and I just wanted to say that I thoroughly enjoy visiting your blog. Your writings are provacative and your photos are always intriguing. Please continue the good work.
I was on my way to climb the mountain when the game started and on the way back I stopped on St Laurent to watch the parade of cars of screaming fans on both sides.
ReplyDeleteIf only we could be that VOCAL and INVOLVED in other matters that really need our attention, like Peace, War, Tolerance and Politics, Famine and Disease. Maybe we could make a difference in the world if those sports people used their voices and enthusiasm in a more productive manner.
Games come and go but life is sacred, I think that crosses all the borders and barriers.
Jeremy...
Who knew that Concordia University has been linked to helping groom someone to kill others. I think maybe we should take a look at that too. I am shocked and dismayed.
Jeremy
Regarding one comment: I don't think God really cares who wins or loses a game. On the other hand, I think it totally OK to thank God that the players on both sides came through with no injuries.
ReplyDeleteMoney! That's it! Money has tainted the world of games. The players are paid obscene amounts of money to play a game. Wouldn't it be easier and better for the physical fitness of everyone to just play neighborhood pick up games in football, soccer, baseball, etc. But, but there wouldn't be anything to watch on Sunday afternoon on TV? Duh! That's the point, don't watch, do!
Who thought up this nonsense of professional sports anyway?
Gosh, thank you! I know far too many people who don't treat it like a game!
ReplyDeleteExcellent piont. I couldn't agree more that people often become too involved in sports. My Ex would throw a temper tantrum and let his whole day be ruined if the Dallas Cowboys lost a game. I just can't understand how people can lose perspective like that.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, I'm with you, Carmi. I am so relieved that this stupid soccer stuff is over for another four years.
ReplyDeleteAnd people who watch racecars spinning around the track?? And get excited? I just don't get it. It's a car. Going around in circles. Around a track. Big whup.
And it goes for all sports, really. If you loves sports, then get off yer duff and actually take part in some of them, instead of wasting your life being a spectator of life.
I confess that I didn't watch any of it, but as a huge sports fan, I can appreciate the fanaticism. I don't think there's anything wrong with it, until it turns ugly and violent. Sports can unite people and help them relax and just have fun together.
ReplyDeleteJust stopping by to say hi Carmi. Hope you're having a great day.
Caneragon and SRP both hit the bullseye! There is WAAAY too much money being paid to those individuals in professional sports! It is both scary and very sad. The competitive nature of the players, *not* the fans, has been very much diluted by the infusions of cash. Really, it doesn't matter anymore if they win or lose. They still get paid.
ReplyDeleteI can't help but think that if we spent even HALF of ONE team's (pick your sport here) collective salaries on some humanitarian program that it would be a much better way to use all those dollars. (Or Euros or whatever currency you chose.)
I absolutely despise when athletes thank God for their victories. As others have said, I think God as other things to worry about. I'm not a soccer fan myself, I like watching my daughter play. But the whole "soccer hooligan" thing really puzzles me. I've seen fights at Dodger Stadium, but they are isolated incidents with idiots drinking too much beer and they have very little to do with the game. I also despise how the media gives sports stars demi-god status. So many of them are dirt bags. Don't get me started on the NBA.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Carmi...For people to describe this loss.,..or any loss in sports as a "tragedy" is beyond my understanding....I understand feeling bad. I understand wishing the outcome had been different...but a "tragedy"....? I don't think so. And you are so right about what a True Tragedy is...loss of life in a senseless war...now THAT really is a heart breaking tragedy.
ReplyDeleteDude, you've got to admit it'd be nice if a loss in a sporting event was all that was 'tragic'. Semantically speaking, I'm sure the fans were distressed, which would indeed make it a tragedy. I'd rather be bummed about a World Cup loss than about the rape and murder that I keep reading about, perpetrated by soldiers upon Iraqis and sullying the image of our culture abroad.
ReplyDeleteAs far as how the deities feel about it, I'm sure they'd rather we play soccer than blow each other up. They're certainly sitting around, going, "What the f*ck? Where are all these souls coming from?"
Finally, never underestimate the power of sport. You should check out the book "Silent Night: The story of the World War I Christmas Truce". Apparently in the spirit of the season, an impromptu soccer game sprang up along the front. In the aftermath, the 'wise' generals realized that they must transfer the soldiers to different fronts, since the soldiers couldn't bring themselves to kill each other afterwards.
I believe one Scottish soldier opined that "If we'd had a thousand more footballs, the war would have ended that day."
That, to me is what the 'real world' is.
Your friend,
p