Black Medal awarded to IOC for Ignoring Parents

2/26/2010

A black medal of shame is awarded to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) who has turned its back on the parents of the Olympic athletes.  The IOC has made it nearly impossible for the parents to feel a part of their child's Olympic life.  Tickets are difficult to find and can result in bogus ticket purchases.

 After years of sacrificing to get their child to the Olympics, these parents are forced to be content watching their child on television at home, because they cannot afford to attend in person. Well, they could mortgage or sell their homes. Oh wait--they already did that to help their children GET to the Olympics.

Kudos are rightfully due the P & G Company for their efforts to make the mothers of Olympic athletes feel welcome during the pinnacle of their children's dreams.

P&G has offered all Team USA pre-loaded gift cards to help them defray the cost of travel and accommodations for family.  They have provided a place for the parents of USA teams to gather.  They have put the spotlight on an important factor in the athletes' success.

Two current P & G television spots grab your heart without the feel of a commercial while you watch through the eyes of a mom.  It is a tribute to the moms who made sure their children did not walk alone in their pursuit of Olympic dreams.

Beyond the pressure of performance, the athletes carry the guilt of what their parents have done to support them. That is a heavy burden that should be relieved by support from the IOC.

Could P & G supply enough Tide soap to whiten the attitude of the IOC?  Probably not.  It will take strong bleach to accomplish that, with a dash of investigative scouring into how tickets are handled and the parents are treated.