> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Bye-bye Beijing, hello Cold War
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/bye-bye-beijing-hello-cold-war/
- Published: 2008-08-22T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-25T00:44:46.000Z
- Author: Jack Neworth
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import, Homelessness

THE OLYMPICS ARE ALMOST OVER AND none too soon. I haven’t watched this much TV since the O.J. trial. With the time difference, I don’t think I saw a single event “live.” The announcers say it’s live but the results are on the Internet hours earlier. They should call them the TIVO Olympics.

The Beijing games have definitely been exciting but during the Cold War they were more dramatic. Each medal could be a victory for communism or capitalism. Now each medal is a victory for Nike. The cold war may have been bad for the world but it was great for ratings. Who could forget the “miracle” 1980 USSR-USA hockey game? Actually, I’d like to see al-Qaida field a team. How about al-Qaida v. USA women’s beach volleyball? They could call it “the berka v. the bikini.”

Speaking of the Cold War, Russia is slowly withdrawing from Georgia. I’m still trying to fathom McCain’s quote, “In the 21st century countries can’t invade sovereign countries.” Apparently invading Iraq doesn’t count.

Joe Biden went to Georgia, which may portend his becoming the vice president nominee. As of this writing, Obama is scheduled to announce the name tomorrow. I only hope it doesn’t cut into Kobe and team USA playing for the gold. As to who was the great-est athlete of the 29th Olympiad, it’s a tossup between Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt. Bolt, 21 and from Jamaica, shattered the world record in the 100 and 200 meters, a feat never accomplished before. Then again, Phelps won a record eight gold medals in one Olympics, or six more than Bolt.

I can’t imagine even wearing eight gold medals.Besides possible neck strain,one’s chest has to be rather broad. Phelps wears all eight perfectly in a row. With my chest, I think three would pretty much do it.Because of his celebrity,Phelps is due to earn $40 million in endorsements this year. Plus, he’s getting text messages from Lindsay Lohan. Two words: uh, oh.

Lindsay wants Phelps to come to Hollywood. At 23 he’s obviously a grown, and soon to be a very rich, man. And yet I have a feeling mother Debbie, a middle-school principal, might have a thing to say to Lindsay, i.e. keep your mitts off.

In grade school Phelps was diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.) Debbie was told her son would never be able to focus on anything. He was put on Ritalin and kids at school made fun of him. I wonder how many gold medals any of them won? Ashamed, Michael pleaded with his mother to go off the medication,promising he’d beat it on his own. Then swimming entered his life and 14 gold medals later, I’d say he kept his promise. As for the school bullies one came up to Phelps in Athens.Michael said, “Sorry,I don’t remember you.”How sweet it is.

In gymnastics, because the athletes compete day after day, you almost develop a relationship with them. The top American girls are Nastia Liukin, 18, (father won 4 Olympic medals for Russia) and Shawn Johnson, 16\. Liukin won 5 medals (gold, three silvers and a bronze) and Johnson won a gold and two silvers. Speculation is the two may share the famed Wheaties box due out next week. But who eats Wheaties anymore? For that matter, who eats breakfast? (Or, is it just me?) These Olympic athletes are spectacular.And the years, often decades, of incredible sacrifice for a moment in the sun is heroic. Other times, however, it seems perverse. Jennifer Stuczynski, an American pole-vaulter came in second but was humiliated by her coach. For what? Being the second best in the entire world! On the other side,there’s Lori (Lolo) Jones whose journey has been a rough road. As a child she, her four siblings, and their mother, battled poverty, homelessness and being separated in foster homes. Remarkably, Lolo overcame all of that, graduated LSU and is one of the world’s great track athletes. She’s also stunningly beautiful.

In her hurdle finals the other night, with her mother and sister cheering from the stands, Lolo was on her way to gold. Then, she clipped the second to last hurdle and wound up seventh.“The biggest race in my life. I guess it wasn’t meant to be.”Lolo handled a devastating defeat with such grace. She proved she’s a winner. There are so many remarkable stories in this Olympiad. Like Henry Cejudo, 21 from south L.A., the son of illegal immigrants. With so many obstacles in life, Henry made the U.S. Wrestling team and won a gold medal. America the beautiful. Back in the real world, tomorrow is Obama’s VP announcement. Some say the name may be a total surprise. I wonder if Michael Phelps is a Democrat?

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 22, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/082208.pdf?ref=smdp.com)