Now Michael, you know I couldn't let this one go without comment.

1. NBC has gone to extraordinary lengths to deliver an unbiased and even-handed coverage of the event. I doubt that Australian Networks would be doing the same. In fact, NBC commentators went to such lengths to explain in advance on at least two occasions what was wrong with the US competitor's technique and why he or she would not beat the Aussies. But, bugger me (as we say downunder), the yankees won! Good luck to them.

2. And what fantastic ambassadors they have been for you all. I don't believe that a distributed event would have the same focus or hold the same level of interest or provide the opportunity to see young people reaching such extraordinary personal goals. The messages they convey are worth every cent (penny).

3. What a fantastic opportunity for Australia to provide a focus to the world; where we can show what makes us great. (It's a pity it has done nothing for our ailing A$.) You can't put a price on the national pride that comes from hosting the games. You outnumber us 15:1. The USA is so much the centre(er) of attention in world news, does it hurt you to have to cope with the occasional inconvenience of time zone differences, as we do and as do the Asians. The suggestion that you should not seems a bit mean-spirited to me.

4. Yes, it is expensive to set up an Olympic city. But if you can stop all the graft and corruption that goes on, it will cost a lot less. And besides, Sydney was desperately in need of something to get it moving. The Olympics gave it that incentive.

Michael, I realise your motive was humour(humor), but let's be honest: Aren't you just reflecting an attitude so prevalent in this country that it really is the centre(er) of the universe. Who in their right mind would consider holding a major international event that would not put the USA first in all its planning? What they should have done was move all events 15 hours backward. e.g. run the 100 metre(er) sprint at 3:00am so we don't put any of you out. Ok, so it wouldn't be so good for Australia, New Zealand or half of Asia, but at least it would ensure that mom and dad in the good ol' US of A are not inconvenienced.

Cheers!
Rob Napier
(Australian!)

P.S. In my new enlightened view, I have included in brackets (parenteses) US spelling, so mom and dad don't have to figure out our strange way of spelling. On that point, would it surprise you to read that I have been told on at least two phone occasions that the caller could not consider buying our software because our strange way of spelling some words (e.g. organis(z)ation) confused them! It would be funny if it weren't true.

Dear Mr Finley,

Iam one of the email readers of yr columns.I couldnt agree more abt demassifying the Olympics.Some more thoughts on the same:

The Olympics began with the Greeks who new how to run and throw and probably jump.Hence , so many new games as non- Greeks like me clamoured to participate.I write from India, where we have a game called Kabaddi which involves a rectangular playing area , divided into two, for two opposing teams of five each .Each team can send a raider into the opposing half, the idea being if the raider touches an opponent and successfully returns the opponent(s) is / are out.If the raider is caught he is out. Maybe 100m Indians have played this game but it doesnt figure in the Olympics.If the Olympics were decentralised this would be one game desrving 10 swimming/track and field medals. The Olympics have now become like a supra- government.They decide a million things abt rules,qualifying and generate tremendous employment.Countries which want to showoff bid for the games and hope to corner most of the employment and business opportunities.Apart from the US, I think the IOC and Hollywood are the next big superpowers.So decentralisng will distribute the goodies better.The IOC shd take sole broadcasting rights alone and spare NBC the blushes. Part of the Olympics being centralised is the political mileage which the host/participating countries derive.After all, we all like to know where we stand in the medals tally- doping or no doping.Most of my countrymen are so doped we just won so far one bronze.That is why we need more Kabaddi - teams of 5, teams of 6 and so on...... like in track and field or swimming.Have you heard of kho- kho.... The IOC shd takeover all national sport federations after having taken over broad casting rights.Then the IOC and Hollywood shd stage the next show in the Moon or Jupiter.Now that will be atrue test of the Olympic spirit and prevent its inevitable degeneration into just another boring spectacle!!!

Venky

Mark G.