For a three-week period every four years the Summer Olympics showcases sports that typically do not receive extensive coverage by the media in the United States. Stars in the pool and on the track arise to fame only to fade into anonymity a month after the Games. The lack of recognition and “staying power” garnered by many Olympians are direct results of two troubling problems with American society. The “what have you done lately” attitude in this country makes us quick to forget the tremendous accomplishments of Olympic athletes. Money plays a role as well. Sports that traditionally bring in millions (football or basketball) always have and always will receive the majority of the media’s attention.
The 2008 Olympics now seem like a distant memory. Despite the fact I watched everything from water polo to 10M Platform Diving to the Redeem Team for three weeks, I am already beginning to forget the accomplishments of these athletes. The NFL and college football are in mid-season, baseball playoffs are heating up, and NBA previews are beginning to hit news-stands. The sports landscape doesn’t leave much room for past achievements. New York Giants fans will not be thinking about their Super Bowl success a year ago as they watch Eli Manning throw an interception against one of their arch-rivals. In the same way, the historic success of Rocky River’s football team in 2007 will be no comfort to this year’s edition of the Pirates. Memories of a playoff run are sweet, but after making a mistake in a key game, the team will only taste disgust.
High school sports are in some ways a microcosm of the world stage. Football, basketball, baseball and hockey (the big four) are usually the best attended and bring in the big-time money to the school. The results are evident in the amount of prestige attached to playing these sports, and this is especially true in a suburban town like Rocky River. The success of the Pirates in the “big four” determines the community’s perception of the high school’s athletic program.
The lesser-known athletes from other sports are placed in a position where they must be simply outstanding to be viewed with the same reverence as merely a starter on the football or basketball teams. State qualifiers in swimming, cross country, and track receive less coverage than regular season contests in the “big four.” Of course, this just stays with the national trend. More American sports fans could name the backup quarterback on the Chicago Bears (Rex Grossman) could name the 2008 Gold Medalist in the Decathlon (Bryan Clay). Clay is the best athlete in the world at arguably the most challenging event, while Grossman isn’t even the best player at his position on his own team. Clay deserves every opportunity for financial success afforded to athletes in “major” sports in the form of endorsements, appearance fees, and notoriety. Instead, he has said he will be returning home to Hawaii to find a full-time job to support his family.
Clearly there are athletes who achieve worldwide acclaim through Olympic success. Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt each became international superstars after their record-setting performances in Beijing. Phelps has already seen his star-power take off since he returned from China. He has appeared on numerous national talk shows, hosted the season premiere of Saturday Night Live, and is likely to earn thirty million dollars a year from endorsing companies such as Visa, Omega, Samsung, and Speedo. Puma, the sponsor of the Jamaican Olympic team, is actively pursuing an exclusive contract with Bolt said to be worth an estimated ten million dollars. These men are only two of over 10,000 participants in the 2008 Olympics. Phelps and Bolt are part of the small minority of Olympians that become superstars.
Olympians and high school athletes who compete in sports that do not receive extensive coverage should still be viewed with the same reverence as members of a “big four” sport. Their accomplishments are equally as impressive and should be covered as such. High school students have the opportunity to change the culture of sports by giving everyone the respect they deserve.