Word: montreal
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...pain on the track, Jenner jogged, danced and leaped through his victory lap. Then embracing his tearfully grinning wife Chrystie, he exulted: "It's all over. We did it!" With the single-minded ambition that distinguishes Olympic champions-a characteristic that the two-week extravaganza in Montreal brought vividly to an audience of a billion people-the 26-year-old Jenner had achieved a goal set four years ago at Munich: that he would beat Soviet Champion Nikolai Avilov...
...went to Montreal favoring those who proposed the end of all nationalist sentiment in order for the Olympic spirit to survive, even if it meant eliminating team sports which seemed to be especially conducive to demonstrations of chauvinism. It was naive to think that you can just turn off expressions of nationalism and, once in Montreal, it became evident that the culture and identity of participant nations is a part of the games. I have realized since that much of the excitement and pomp of the Olympics would be missing without individual nation's support for their athletes...
Several American athletes have warned against this trend away from the individual. Discus thrower Mac Wilkins, who won a gold medal at Montreal, told reporters that he was threatened with expulsion by United States Olympic officials for training away from Montreal even though he could not concentrate in the Olympic village. He went on to say that his victory was an "achievement for myself." Arnie Robinson, the victor in the long jump competition, felt that his medal was a reward for his long hours of training. "I won for myself, my family," Robinson said...
National anthems and flags at award ceremonies should be eliminated. The impromptu celebrations and flag waving by fans immediately after an athlete's victory always were more meaningful and emotional than the ceremonies hours later. At Montreal, the ceremonies seemed anti-climactic and were often regarded as an annoyance since other competitions had to be halted. Their only advantage seemed to be the opportunity they afforded for standing and stretching one's legs...
...Olympics have become too politicized," says Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who rejected an invitation to visit the Montreal Games because of the disputes. "They are supposed to be a sporting event for athletes. It is the responsibility of the International Olympic Committee to decide which athletes compete. The host country only provides the facilities and should have no say over the athletes' participation." The State Department considered pulling the U.S. team out of Montreal in protest over Canada's handling of the Taiwan issue. Said a high State Department official last week, the potential complexities...