Hartford Courant: Can the Nationalistic Medal Count for Athens 2004

Sounds like a good idea, hey lets NOT piss off the rest of the world by saying WE WANT 100 MEDALS DAMMIT.

"The resolve is admirable. Terrorists have no place among nations. They wave no flag except one of cowardice. Yet America's Olympic movement also must not be blind to the fact that, thanks to the Iraqi quagmire, we are seen by too much of the world as the global bully. In 1964, the time was right for medal counts against the Soviet Union. Forty years later, the time is right for ratcheting down steroid nationalism. We can still win and win big without going cowboy. Why not drop the medal count? Why doesn't someone come up with an outfit for the Americans to wear away from the field of play in Athens? Something that would incorporate goodwill and peace. In the cradle of the Olympic movement, why not let it be us who bend over backward to extend international friendship? In her last Olympics, there's nothing Mia Hamm, who is looking at starting a family, can do to stop terrorism in Athens. But maybe there's something she can do to help plant a seed so bin Laden's son will not want to blow up her and Nomar's daughter at the 2028 Olympics."

http://www.ctnow.com/hc-jeffcol0515.artmay15,1,6784567.column?coll=hc-utility-home

the entire stadium will "boo" our athletes as they walk in during the Opening Ceremonies. That would be so sad. :(

it's not so bad. I hope they leave the spectators and the games alone. I am going with my girlfriend. We both think Bush is an idiot and we both voted for Gore. It's not our fault.

considering what could happen, "booing" isn't all that bad. But still, they have worked long and hard to get there - I'd hate for them to feel ashamed because of Bushco.

Enjoy the games. Stay safe. :)

I think I will have to keep my US flag to myself.

I sure wouldn't be joining in any chants of "USA,USA,USA".

Our athletes should try as hard as they can to win... and we should
cheer them when they do, and cheer them as well if they don't. But
this year is not the year to make this into a jingoistic uber-patriot
issue.

Most European nations do that as well, with the minor difference that only gold medals count in Europe.

Goodsportsmanship is admirable, but losing on purpose isn't...