NBC Makes Mockery of McKay Legacy NBC Makes Mockery of McKay Legacy
This past year saw the death of legendary sports broadcaster Jim McKay.McKay made his mark in history when he anchored the round-the-clockcoverage of the killings of Israel...
Aug 21, 2008 / The Notion / Dave Zirin
César Maxit: A Real Olympic Hero César Maxit: A Real Olympic Hero
The Beijing Olympics will be remembered for people like Michael Phelps, UsainBolt and Nastia Liukin. But we should also remember César Maxit. Don't know César...
Aug 20, 2008 / The Notion / Dave Zirin
US Misses Shot at Iranian Superstar US Misses Shot at Iranian Superstar
Everyone knew these Olympics would be political. We knew the stadium-sized gapbetween the so-called Olympic ideals and the commercial feeding frenzyin Beijing would stagger...
Aug 19, 2008 / The Notion / Dave Zirin
Is Michael Phelps Really the Greatest Olympian Ever? Is Michael Phelps Really the Greatest Olympian Ever?
Eight gold medals. Seven world records. And most remarkably,transforming laps in a pool into must-see-TV. Michael Phelps has truly exceeded the hype and has derserved every...
Aug 18, 2008 / The Notion / Dave Zirin
Blind to Bolt in Beijing Blind to Bolt in Beijing
The ultimate Olympic event is the 100-meter dash. From the greatness of Jesse Owens and Carl Lewis, to the ignominy of Ben Johnson--it has in many ways come to define the ...
Aug 16, 2008 / The Notion / Dave Zirin
No Free Press at Beijing Olympics No Free Press at Beijing Olympics
"Are you arresting me? I am a journalist," said John Ray, of London-based ITV News, as he was arrested by the Chinese police. The pernicious crime perpetrated by Jo...
Aug 15, 2008 / The Notion / Dave Zirin
Spain’s Basketball Team Sullies the Olympics Spain’s Basketball Team Sullies the Olympics
There are some athletes who can't be bought. Some athletes who refuse tobecome commodities, valuing their humanity more than their wallets. Thenthere is the Spanish nationa...
Aug 14, 2008 / The Notion / Dave Zirin
Women’s Gymnastics: The Big Mac of the Beijing Games Women’s Gymnastics: The Big Mac of the Beijing Games
If you have been reading this blog, you know that I am somewhatconflicted about the Olympics. There is the beauty of the games, and anugly pervasive undercurrent that can l...
Aug 13, 2008 / The Notion / Dave Zirin
Beijing Olympics: Dolphin Kicks Obscure Biased Coverage Beijing Olympics: Dolphin Kicks Obscure Biased Coverage
"It's like he was part fish." That's what a friend of mine from theMaryland suburbs said about the young Michael Phelps. He was in a swimclub with the multiple go...
Aug 12, 2008 / The Notion / Dave Zirin
Beijing Basketball Watched By Billions Beijing Basketball Watched By Billions
The most laudable part of the Summer Olympics is that it is one of the few times when the stifling sporting atmosphere in the United States actually opens up its window and...
Aug 11, 2008 / The Notion / Dave Zirin