The closer the next Games get, and the more I hear about how unprepared Greece will be on opening day, the more I believe:

The Olympics are an idea waaaaaaay past their time, and ought not to be held again. Ever.

They do nothing for "world peace"; they have not been immune from being used as a political football since (at least) 1972 - and let's not forget the Berlin Olympics of 1936.

They are a security nightmare.

They are an infrastructure nightmare for any country unlucky enough to win the right to host them - and what country and city in their right mind would want them??? They cost far too much in new construction for facilities that become obsolete as soon as the Games are over, often in cities and/or countries that could spend the same money much more wisely - like, for instance, throwing it down the nearest sewer. The only global event more ridiculous than the Olympics are World's Fairs (which I think, happily, are no longer staged).

That's not even counting the high-flown ideals surrounding the "amateur athlete" - a joke, plain and simple, and has been for decades.
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If someone wanted to save the Olympic Games from the demise they're already well into, and deserve, I'd suggest the following:

- A permanent site at or near the ancient original - the base of Mt. Olympus in Greece - built and maintained from an international fund, maybe (dare I say it?) under the auspices of the UN.

- Athletes who qualify shall compete as individual citizens of the planet. National flags, symbols, and anthems shall be strictly prohibited, as shall any identification of athletes by nationality. (I know the sports reportage of the world will not refrain from nationalistic chest-beating - I'm talking about the official Olympic Committee).

- No athlete who has accepted money, or gifts-in-kind, for the performance of the sport in which he/she wishes to participate shall be allowed. Period. The goddamn NBA can stay home.

- Drug testing shall be maintained to the highest state of the medical arts; any and all positive results shall mean immediate, lifetime expulsion. No excuses - pack your bags and leave the facility, Right Now.

- The Games will be simply that - games. Athletic competition. No two-hour, choreographed opening and closing extravaganzas with costumes by Peter Max, for krisesake...

I heard the other day that New York is on the short list for the Summer Games after next... 2012? Are they fuckin' CRAZY???

***end of rant