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Sez Me (Olympics Edition) …
I thoroughly enjoyed the Paris Olympics, from the Opening Ceremony — although thought in part to be sacrilegious by many who haven’t seen the inside of a church since Baptism — to the Closing Ceremony (necessary, but by its very nature anticlimactic).
I didn’t like the torch-lighting. I still don’t understand that torch that wasn’t a torch. And without Charles DeGaulle and Maurice Chevalier still walking around, France had too many unrecognizable people trying to get recognized.
But Paris, the City of Light, dazzled, and even the Seine looked good on the surface, although swimmers were advised to avoid the warm spots and anything resembling a Baby Ruth bar.
For once, NBC did us a favor, showing live events in the mornings. So, what I often did was record them, and then watch at night, fast-forwarding three or four hours into no time at all. Especially during track, where officials had runners stand for far too long behind the blocks prior to the starts.
But the greatest thing is the passion of the athletes, who bust their butts for four years waiting for the moment.
In any event, here are some thoughts:
• The U.S. did exceptionally well, especially one of its cities, San Diego, which produced 27 medal winners in 12 sports — or a 1/10th of America’s total count. But then, you know, San Diegans are soft.
• For me, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was the star of the Games. Her kick-ass world record in the 400-meter hurdles and memorable leg on the women’s 4×400-meter relay were Olympian performances of the greatest magnitude.
• I would love to see Sydney move on to the flat-400. New worlds to conquer.
• Nothing against Snoop Dogg, but NBC reportedly paid him $9 million for basically doing what he does when he stumbles out of bed in the morning.
• Jayson Tatum was first-team All-NBA. Steve Kerr used him as though he drove the team bus. If Jayson had gone back to Boston, his absence wouldn’t have been noticed.
• Steph Curry and Kevin Durant were terrific, but I can’t say the U.S. wins gold without 39-year-old LeBron James (despite his 24 turnovers in the tournament). Well, yes I can. They wouldn’t have.
• But James’ outrageous intensity was matched — by the teams he was playing.
• What a stupid mistake, USA Basketball leaving Caitlin Clark off the women’s team.
• I fully expect LeBron to play on the 2028 L.A. Olympic team.
• If the world hasn’t caught up with U.S. men’s basketball, U.S. men will make sure that it does.
• Baseball is a bad Olympic sport. Softball is not.
• Given the IOC’s $50,000 gift to gold-medal winners, the possibility of an agreed-upon tie basically is gone.
• Any event that calls for judges is the biggest problem with the Olympics. The women’s gymnastics bronze medal fiasco was at once stupid, heartbreaking and avoidable.
• Doesn’t mean drugs weren’t used, but not much talk of them at these Games.
• Anyone notice how lenient track officials were on false starts? I may have missed it, but I didn’t see one jumper DQued — and many could have been. …
• Cole Hocker’s win in the 1,500 was a shock and a wow moment. U.S. improving on track distances.
• USC athletes have won at least one gold medal in every Summer Olympics since 1912. This time it was TeeTee Terry in the U.S. women’s gold medal victory in the 4×400-meter relay. Remarkable.
• L.A.’s Wilson High School has produced an Olympian every year since 1952. Remarkable.
• Breakdancing as an Olympic sport? A terrible idea. Next up: Marbles and yo-yos. Not kidding.
• Just saw where 28 men have finished the 1,500-meter swim faster than Katie Ledecky. So? What am I missing? Women are not men. They just create ’em. …
• Sifan Hassan gets bronze in the women’s 5,000- and 10,000-meter runs and takes gold in an Olympic record marathon. She passed on rowing. …
• Los Angeles Olympic venues only will be accessible by public transportation. I assume that includes walking.
• I’ll never understand why automobiles aren’t considered public transportation. Some drivers are members of the public. …
I put no stock in exhibition games — even less when the starting quarterbacks are sitting out — but if Justin Herbert (plantar fasciitis) doesn’t play for the NFL Team That Used To Be Here, they’re a cool 0-17. …
The Judases can’t stick with Easton Stick at QB. …
Mostly, a starter starts because the player next in line isn’t as good as the starter. …
I’m against an 18-game NFL season, but if it means dumping all exhibition games, hooray and hallelujah. …
There will be more soft tissue injuries of course if the schedule goes to 18 games. But owners are OK with swelling — of their wallets. …
Colin Kaepernick wants to play football again. So do I. …
Philip Rivers’ 24th son, Gunner, a high school quarterback, is ranked 64th among the nation’s recruits by a service specializing in such things. Name a kid Gunner and he’s either joining the Navy or becoming a quarterback. …
The devastation that has hit Minnesota’s camp is the worst to happen to the Vikings since Christianity, climate change and the Battle of Stamford Bridge. …
They can’t take all of the human element out of the NFL. They should keep the chain gang. Officials make mistakes, but spots can be challenged. There often is a suspense element. …
Padres rookie Jackson Merrill has been so outstanding, so clutch, so popular, so focused, he’s just about good enough for A.J. Preller to trade him during the offseason. …
Whither Fernando Tatis Jr.? My guess: He is returning — next year. …
Rules are rules, but one should be changed. If a baseball goes over the fence without touching the ground, it should be a home run. For now, my advice to Ha-Seong Kim is: Hit the ball harder. …
Kevin Towers refused to watch his Padres play in Denver. Great idea. “It’s not baseball,” he said. My, I miss KT. …
Should a knuckleballer pitch in Denver’s rarefied air? …
There is talk that MLB may be considering a rule that will force starting pitchers to go six innings. First of all, it’s a horrible idea. Secondly, where do you find enough pitchers who can reach six innings? …
Mickey Mantle may have been the most powerful batsman of all time — and fastest from home to first. He ranks 10th in career bunt singles. …
RIP, Gena Rowlands. An actress of great power. …
ESPN, firing on all cylinders, has pink-slipped Sam Ponder and Robert Griffin III. I liked them. Maybe too smart. …
Type Miscasting: Nicolas Cage will portray John Madden in the upcoming biopic “Madden.” That’s like The Rock playing Michael Jackson. …
Next up: KUSI’s “Prep Pigskin Report.” Enjoy. …
A reminder: 618 Congressional Medals of Honor have been awarded posthumously. The fallen heroes never had the chance to return home and vote.
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