The Olympic Games have been swirled in controversy for decades; terrorism, bribery, steroids, Jamaican bobsled teams. It'’s just another sad fact the trend continues with Beijing's '08 Summer Games.



They've come and gone but even after cleaning up the soiled mess, the pungent stench of questionable conduct still lingers. It all began with the Opening Ceremonies (where else?) where fireworks were digitally added to broadcast television to enhance the visual. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but shouldn't fireworks be enough? Did they blast their budget to the point where this was a necessity? I understand, on TV, it was akin to an aerial nuclear holocaust. I suppose there are no laws preventing this but it certainly instills a sense of falsehood typically reserved for cinema and television shows that are not live broadcasts.



Don't get me started on the "cute" little girl who sang the national anthem. The scandal surrounding her lip-synching is unequivocally justified. You can't tell me the Olympic officials were that superficial they required a sub due to some buck teeth - the biggest concern for the officials. A little girl is a little girl; she is cute by existence. Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't the classier move be allowing the little girl with pipes perform unrestrained, blowing away an unassuming audience, and letting her cuteness stand on its own? Alternatively, if it was that much of a concern, you can't tell me the officials couldn't reward the little girl with dental surgery as a means of motivating the next generation of potential Olympic participants.



Correct me if I'm wrong...no, nothing here. I have nothing but praise for Usain Bolt who set a new Olympic record for the 100 metre race. The Jamaican runner crossed the finish line at 9.69 seconds with one shoe untied and played to the crowd before becoming enveloped by his fellow countrymen. It should be noted Donovan Bailey, Canada's gold medal winner in the same event in '96, is of Jamaican decent and is no less ecstatic for Bolt's win.



Congratulations to Michael Phelps for winning a THOUSAND gold medals at this year's Summer Games. Media has informed the masses of Phelps's double-jointed ankles which is in actuality a little misleading. No one can be "double-jointed" per se. They are flexible and can hyper-extend without ligament strain. Doesn't that qualify him as some kind of freakish half man/half seal hybrid? Correct me if I'm wrong but the other competitors are at a distinct disadvantage if they have to contend against a man who can essentially spin his ankles around like a propeller! I suppose they all knew what they were getting into.



Just another year at the Olympics, I say. Despite their controversy, China dominated the gold medal standings winning 51, totalling an even 100 medals overall. Sure, their gold-winning gymnastic team consisted predominately of children but wouldn't you want the best for your child too, even if it meant pushing the child labour law a little, bending some archaic rules and making the competition appear antiquated by comparison? Oh, the Olympics; so many Games they play.

THE TV GUYDE