An Olympic year is upon us. TV ads looking for contributions to send our athletes to Brazil for the honor of representing the United States of America are plentiful and annoying! In 1986, professional athletes were given permission by the International Federation to compete in each sport of the Olympic Games.
Here’s the grumble:
These professional athletes earn big bucks in their respective sports and flaunt their notoriety via mixed-media opportunities. If you listen closely, there’s some hedging on being obnoxious and condescending.
How about diggin’ into your pocket to make a contribution to aid some millionaire athlete’s trip to Rio, not only to compete, but to ― sure ― have a high-time in a Brazilian state that has an average mixed crime rate of 89.77 percent (Wikipedia).
If any of those rich athletes were to take home the gold … it could be worth, yup, millions. It’s your money … don’t YOU need a new pair of shoes?
Ed Gregory
Greenfield