A Clumsy Kid’s Lament During The ’76 Olympics
From the “I was a weird kid” files
https://www.flickr.com/photos/93416311@N00/9311102656
Back in 1976, the Olympics were a huge deal. Almost as big as the Bicentennial even, and that was a freak show for 18 long months in Boston.
Now, you have to remember that during the Dark Ages, we only had a handful of T.V. channels. So for a big bru-ha-ha like the Olympics, pretty much everyone was watching, because who wants to be the only person not up to speed at the water fountain or on the playground the next day?
That’s how you get your arse ostracized from ‘70s polite society!
Laugh all you want, but it was light years ahead of the Kardashians entertainment-wise. Hands down. But then again, so was conversing with my pet rock.
Anyway, during the ’76 Olympics, two amazingly gifted young women dominated their fields. Now, don’t get me wrong, I loved the swimming and diving competitions, but they lacked standout personalities like Dorothy Hamill, who was the face (and dorky haircut) of figure skating, and Nadia Comaneci, who was the Multiple Perfect Ten Queen of Gymnastics.
During the winter, and then summer, I obsessively watched both young ladies excel. I was mesmerized and envious by turns. Dorothy and Nadia were so self-assured, so graceful, and made it look so easy when it…
