MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / Febuary 11, 1999

We are always being told that the Olympic Games are not about winning and losing but the effort that is given. Fair play and sportsmanship aremore important than gold medals.

Can somebody please explain that to the International Olympic Com- mittee? The recent bribery scandal involving the selection of future Olympic sites is against everything the Olympic movement is supposed to stand for.

Perhaps it is time for the IOC to clean house and for it to find a better way to pick future Olympic sites. The Olympics can be a boon to theeconomies of the cities and countries that host them but the sites must be picked fairly just as the committee members would want the Games to be played.

The Olympics have survived everything from world wars to drug scandals and they will survive this. But maybe it is about time that the ideals theGames stand for begin at the top.

Oh what an exhilarating Pro Bowl Sunday night. Two whole offensivetouchdowns. And this with the rules supposedly geared to the offenses. Onthe other hand, it may be a preview of things to come with the Jets’ Keyshawn Johnson being named the game’s co-MVP and Minnesota’s Randy Moss catching over 100 yards worth of passes. Jets-Vikings Super Bowl?Could happen.

How about Auburn dropping Florida State for Appalachian State this upcoming college football season? Talk about a nice welcoming gift for new coach Tommy Tubberville. And Terry Bowden cannot say anythingnegative about his former school. So obviously he cannot do play-by-playfor the Tigers this season. Yo, Auburn fans, do not look now but you justgot passed again by Bama on the recruiting trail.

Mike Tyson is going back to jail. His autobiography should be a textbook onhow to throw away talent and waste second and third chances. Tyson couldhave been forever put in the same class as Muhammed Ali and Joe Louis.

Now he will always be associated with the Sonny Listons. So much talent,so much waste.

How about that fourth round of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am? Oh wait, never mind.

Congratulations to East St. John’s Jason Deslatte for making it to thestate wrestling championships this past week.

Finally, a get well wish to Walter Payton.

Sweetness had the greatest performance of any football player I have seen in person, rushing for over 160 yards and throwing for two scores in a 34- 31 loss to the Saints in 1983. That was the first NFL game I saw in personand one I will always remember. Get through this adversity as you havealways done – with good will and a smile on you face. Here’s a prayergoing out for you.

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