KL: On Domination...

What can I say? I enjoy watching domination. At least in the Olympics, that is. I am not sure why I shed no tear for the underdog during these 14 days. On any other given day--or at least the other 3 years 50 weeks, I want nothing more than to see the over-achiever fail. What is more satisfying than seeing Ohio State lose, the Yankees humiliated, and the Patriots stumble? Rather, there is more fulfillment in seeing the Rays take first in the AL East, Boise State crack the top 10, and rooting for Blake over Federer.


But for whatever reason, during the 2008 Olympics I have undeniably been rooting for athletes to perfect their art. Do I even need to dwell on the Michael Phelps story? I changed my sleeping schedule around to accommodate NBC's ridiculous coverage in order to watch swimming (swimming!) at 11 PM--multiple times, no less. The dynamic Beach Volleyball duo of Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor have not lost in over a year--and as far as I am concerned, they will not lose while I am tuning in. Watching USA Men's Basketball return to glory has been nothing more than magnificent in my viewpoint. I even question why this Completely Redeemed Team let undermanned Angola keep the final score "only" around 20?

While watching professional sports, I live to see close competition--even if it is at the expense of my rooting choice. There is nothing like experiencing a 2-1 nailbiter in a game 7 baseball playoff going into the bottom of the ninth. Even being a hopeless fan of USC football, watching the Trojans lose a heartbreaker to Texas in 2006--despite the depression that followed--may have been one of the greatest College Football games I have seen. On similar lines, the 2008 Super Bowl was one for the ages--even while being an outspoken hater of both the New York Giants and of the New England Patriots.

No, in Beijing 2008, I'd rather watch nothing short of an athlete or team dominate in their sport. Save the competition for the professionals--there will be plenty of time for that.