This really could go in the great turning section.
I am amazed actually.
3 members of the Mens U.S. Fencing team wore pink masks today in honor of victims of sexual assault while their fellow teammate wore a black mask.
A group of six female fencers had written to U.S. Olympic officials less than two weeks after Alen Hadzic, 29, ( The one with the black mask) secured a spot as an alternate on the U.S. Olympic fencing team to express deep concerns about the impact his presence might have on the other athletes. Hadzic has been accused of rape and sexual assault.
This photo is worth a thousand words.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/us-fencing-pink-masks_n_61055c02e4b000b997e24747
A Belarusian sprinter was under the protection of Japanese authorities Monday, a day after she made a dash for freedom at a Tokyo-area airport, claiming her team was forcing her to return home after she publicly criticized her coaches at the Olympics.
The Polish government was the first to offer Krystsina Tsimanouskaya a safe haven.
The Czechs also offered to take in Tsimanouskaya, and the BSSF said she may seek asylum in Germany or Austria.
A Belarusian sprinter was under the protection of Japanese authorities Monday, a day after she made a dash for freedom at a Tokyo-area airport, claiming her team was forcing her to return home after she publicly criticized her coaches at the Olympics.
The Polish government was the first to offer Krystsina Tsimanouskaya a safe haven.
The Czechs also offered to take in Tsimanouskaya, and the BSSF said she may seek asylum in Germany or Austria.
Following up on the Belarusian sprinter. She is now in Poland and shared more of her harrowing journey today. She was forced to leave the games by her higher ups and on the way to the airport, her grandmother warned her it was unsafe to go back to her country. The media there was saying she had mental issues and the public was encouraged to write distressing social media posts about her.
The athlete said she used Google translate to show officials a translated plea for help on her phone as she tried to avoid being put on a plane back home.
The 24-year-old said she decided to go to Poland in hopes of being able to continue her sports career.
She also said that she chose to seek refuge in the country because she knew her parents and husband would not have trouble visiting the country.
Why Simone Biles Matters.
Sometimes my intuitive self will say: "Pay attention, this thing which is happening is really important."
I have learned to pay attention. My intuitive self told me to pay attention when the first rumblings of Covid began to surface the first week of January 2020. I searched the internet for news ( Thank you The Guardian news, for being on top of the virus in the early stages) and created the first Covid thread here on Jeanne's site. I couldn't prove it was important, I just felt it was important.
I paid attention when Simone withdrew from the team competition. It was a "knowing" that this was a really important action. I believe I stated here in this thread it was important. I was more than the "Greatest gymnast of all time" withdrawing. It was knowing that her withdrawal mattered. That it would have a ripple effect that would be impactful.
@lovendures - I read a recent article in NY Times about the Japanese athletes competing. They apologize to their country and families when they don't win the gold, even if they won silver or bronze. It made me sad to think of these wonderful, talented young people whose efforts are not appreciated. I was taught that win or lose, do my best and my parents will be proud of me and I should be proud of myself.
There may be some here who will say this is cultural and I should not judge through my American culture eyes. That may be so; yet I think anyone who just gets to compete in the Olympics has already shown they are exceptional athletes.
Agreed. I do respect the beautiful differences of so many cultures. However, feeling the need to offer an apology when not winning at the Olympic is very sad indeed.
Yes, yes, yeppity-yes to everything you said! I had the same intuitive feeling as the news about Simone's withdrawal played out over the last week(s). As you said, "This in turn is opening eyes. IT WILL CHANGE HOW WE TREAT ALL SORTS OF ATHLETES MOVING FORWARD."
Weirdly, it felt very much like it all happened as it should, and the way it played out definitely provided a much larger platform and impact than it would have otherwise. I completely agree that it felt very much like a large tipping point.
When the pandemic first started, I posted a message on a forum for my AmeriCorps co-members in Massachusetts. I basically said that we had to drop the pretense of our unflappable young professional selves and focus on self care as we head into the maelstrom. Biles basically said the same thing but amplified the message by 1,000,000,000. She is not just a role model for athletes or other public figures; she is telling everyone that it's okay to fall apart a bit.
I don't think anyone can get through these years of transition unless they bend with the storm, and "bending with the storm" sometimes means assuming the fetal position, so to speak.
The men’s and women’s marathons were moved to Sapporo in order to avoid Tokyo’s sultry heat. But on Saturday during the women’s marathon the temperature in Sapporo will be the same as Tokyo - 90 degrees. A reminder that formerly cool places are no longer reliably cool.
On a lighter note, I really enjoyed skateboarding’s debut. I stayed up to watch live coverage of both the men’s and women’s park finals, and watching those events was a huge antidote to the palpable tension of other Olympic contests. The camaraderie between the skaters was great; they clearly love the art form and were celebrating being at the Olympics, regardless of whether they medaled.