Reflecting journalism’s current obsession with creating lists, CNN’s blog tells us five good and five bad things about soccer at the Olympics.
On the plus side are the history of the game at the Olympics, the healthy crowds, the fact that players like to take part in such a ‘big feel’ event, and the importance of Olympic soccer to the women’s game. There’s also the continuity: “The Olympic tournament complements FIFA’s existing structure, providing what is effectively an under-23 world championship that fills the gap between the senior game and the under-17 and under-20 tournaments.”
On the down side, the men’s tournament will always be hugely overshadowed by the World Cup. There’s also the ongoing clash between club and country over how often a player should be released for international tournaments, player burnout from too many competitions, and the inconsistent, arbitrary rules on participation only by U-23 players, plus three overage players. Finally, “soccer has outgrown the Olympics. Part of the fun of the Olympics is that it celebrates those sports that don’t usually draw in the crowds or make the headlines. Allowing some of the world’s most famous — and most lucratively rewarded — footballers to share their limelight detracts from the Olympic spirit.”
Although it might be unkindly said that anyone who can still find “Olympic spirit” in Beijing should bottle it and send it immediately to Olympic HQ in Lausanne, where it can be put on display for nostalgia purposes. Or auctioned off on eBay.