THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 25, 1996 TAG: 9607250538
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Bob Molinaro
LENGTH: 63 lines
O.J. Simpson's arrival the other day in Atlanta is a reminder that what these maligned Olympics need right now is a good defense.
If I were Billy Payne, organizer of the Disorganized Games, I'd consider putting in a call to O.J.'s old lawyer, Johnnie Cochran. Mr. Johnnie would know how to defuse the media assault on ACOG.
He would argue, I'm sure, that those who criticize the funky bus service, overcrowded trains, underachieving computer system, searing heat and shortage of port-a-potties are participating in a carefully orchestrated conspiracy against his client.
He would gather the media in the back of his limousine and he would ask, ``Isn't the purpose of the Olympics to bring the world together?''
Then he would point out that Atlanta has done precisely that.
In recent days, Italians, Irish, Spanish, Canadians, Chinese, English, Mexicans, Turks, Bulgarians, Australians, Africans, Russians and Americans have all come together. To rip these Games.
Mission accomplished.
Funny thing about the Olympics. For six months, everybody worries about a terrorist organization spoiling the fun. Then, when the festival of sweat finally arrives, an international incident is ignited by a 58-year-old woman bus driver from Duluth, Ga., who won't make a right turn on red.
I'm sure it was the glacial bus service or a balky computer that was the catalyst for an angry Olympic editorial that appeared in the Liberation Daily of China under the headline: ``When Will the Hegemonist Mentality End!''
My sentiments precisely.
Mike Downey, a wit for The Los Angeles Times, helped put the Chinese complaints into an English context: ``I can't remember anyone from Georgia this confused since Butterfly McQueen.''
Some viewers may be confused by NBC's handling of the Olympics. The programming is so soft and cloying, it feels like I'm watching a cooking show attended by a few athletes.
Wednesday, the Today Show had Katie Couric interviewing America's triumphant gymnastic pixies from an ``undisclosed location.''
I just hope it wasn't O.J.'s room. What's next, Al Roker chatting with
Angel Martino in a weather balloon?
Taking NBC's lead, I am writing this at an undisclosed press tent. I will tell you only that I am not in the vicinity of one of IBM's infamous computers.
The only bites that interest me have to do with the chicken salad and cheesecake being served at the excellent Main Press Center cafeteria. Unless the lunch menu is being posted on E-mail, IBM's problems are not mine.
If anyone's interested, though, they can reach the Atlanta Olympic web site by typing Oly://www.com/ help/com...foreigners go home/com...bubba in trouble/com.
Shouldn't the world's visitors have suspected something like this from Atlanta? A tipoff might have come at the Opening Ceremonies when costumed characters spelled out the words, ``How y'all doin'!''
No wonder Atlanta is playing catch-up. Which is why it should put in a call to Mr. Johnnie.
I can hear Cochran now giving his final argument. He would stand before the media of the world and demand they reconsider their verdict on Atlanta. He would put a new spin on these Olympics.
He would tell the sweaty, weary multitudes, ``If you do not expire, you must admire.'' by CNB