Smog and underdogs: A quick guide to the Summer Olympics
For the last several months leading up to the Summer Olympics, we’ve been force-fed sprinter Tyson Gay’s quick-draw smile, merman Michael Phelps’ flipper-like appendages and gymnast Shawn Johnson’s spring-loaded quad-zillas.
You might have seen them hobnobbing with Matt Lauer, pimping burgers for fast food commercials or superimposed over Old Glory in patriotic, slow-motion Olympic promos.
And good for them. Seriously.
But what about the little guys and girls – the fencers who receive less notoriety and make less money than those who actually install fencing? Or the rhythmic gymnasts who aren’t famous enough to be on “Dancing with the Stars” after their Olympic torch burns out?
As hourly workers, many of you know what it’s like to balance work and a zillion other obligations. To toil tirelessly – and anonymously. And to motivate yourself daily with the underdog philosophy until you meet your goals. You’ve got a lot in common with our under-the-radar Olympians.
Take wrestler Andy “Silent H” Hrovat – nicknamed so because of the silent ‘H’ in his last name. The Cleveland native wasn’t supposed to go to the Summer Games, but he punched his ticket to Beijing by out-grappling a repeat NCAA mat rat.
In China, he might face Russian world champ Georgi Ketoev, who bit and ultimately beat “Silent H” in a previous engagement. Think “Rocky IV” minus Bridgette, Dolph and Sly.
Then there’s Sundanese refugee Lopez Lomong, who grabbed the last available slot for the U.S. 1500M squad. A champion of the Darfur cause and former child prisoner, Lomong will be thinking about a lot more than medals during tonight’s opening ceremonies.
These are just two of the upstart Olympic athletes looking to shine through the Beijing smog and crash the party. So set your clock for 2 a.m. and dust off those red, white and blue foam fingers. It’s go time.
• Think the Olympics are all glamour and no guts? Many athletes work hard (literally) to be able to train and have a chance at glory. Read more about hourly worker Olympians.
• ALSO: Check out student jobs, part-time jobs and job advice.
