What You Missed in Paris 2024

Note: This will be a running post for the next few weeks of the Olympic Games, with each day highlighting competitions that may not have made it to the top of the feed.

July 30-August 1

Fencing:

Haven’t seen fencing yet? Lee Kiefer won a third gold medal, a record for U.S. women’s fencing, taking both gold individually and for Team USA in foil fencing. In fencing, the Italians and French reign supreme–when the Russians aren’t around–so for the U.S. to take a medal is an achievement.

July 26, 2024July 27, 2024

The Paradoxical International Parade of Nations

Greece comes first, even if the nation of Greece bears little resemblance to the vision of ancient Olympia. Photo from Newscaststudio.com.

This is ultimately a story about flag dipping–or the lack thereof–and how the American media lied about it, until it turned into yet another “Land of the Free” myth based on false information. But in order to get there, we have to dig into another subject first, the underlying paradox of the Games.

July 4, 2024July 27, 2024

Confused about Independence? Parade Anyway!

One of many Norman Rockwell illustrations that tweak American values. Image from Saturday Evening Post.

Maybe the United States was always just people who liked to party! Looking at the history of why this day is celebrated, July 4th in particular, I came across many pictures of people marching, making speeches, and eating, but also so many claims that were kinda sorta not quite right. Maybe it’s buried in our history (oh, in everybody’s history) to blur those pesky details and bring on the fireworks.