Have any Gold Medal-winning American athletes...

[dd74]

...actually sung the words to the National Anthem during the Beijing Games? I think it's sort of embarrassing that I've seen, at best, a weak attempt at lip-synching our song.

[sammyg2]

Yes. I watched a swimmer sing. At least she was moving her lips, I couldn't hear her voice.

[Jim Richards]

Wow, I didn't know you had to sing along. I figured that standing tall in a respectful manner during the playing of the National Anthem was sufficiently respectful. If I started singing at, lets say, a baseball game, I'd be ejected for causing great pain to anyone within earshot!

[artplumber]

Perhaps this is an explanation....

When they called Nastia’s name, announced that she was from the United States of America and put her on the highest stand, the family couldn’t hold it together. A gold necklace hung around her neck and this daughter of the final generation of communist Moscow stood straight for “The Star-Spangled Banner.”


“I thought of my father,” she said. “I hope he feels as proud as I did.”


It was too much to contemplate, really. She couldn’t stop crying. She tried to collect herself and sing. Behind her, off to the side, Valeri wasn’t any better.


“I tried to hide from crying,” he said. “This is our dream.”


This was an immigrant’s moment, a family that found that very freedom, that very future they thought possible in the United States.

[911boost]

I thought Nastia's performance was good. I wasn't pleased with her vault score, but she didn't let it bother her.

Bill

[K. Roman]

It isn't enough that they train for years, represent AMERICA in the Olympics and win GOLD!? Not for DD74 I guess.
I'm embarrassed for you right now.

Originally Posted by dd74

...actually sung the words to the National Anthem during the Beijing Games? I think it's sort of embarrassing that I've seen, at best, a weak attempt at lip-synching our song.

[dd74]

Originally Posted by K. Roman

It isn't enough that they train for years, represent AMERICA in the Olympics and win GOLD!? Not for DD74 I guess.
I'm embarrassed for you right now.

If they trained to win then I'd expect they would have rehearsed the song, particularly as they are representatives of this country, knowing as well cameras would be focused on them if they did win. If they don't know the song, fine - but don't poorly lip synch it.

BTW: do you know our National Anthem? Can you sing it word-for-word? You probably don't have much opportunity to do so, huh?

[onewhippedpuppy]

Maybe we should change it to the Olympic sports and SINGING tryouts? Then we could vote on the athlete that sings the best, and have Ryan Seacrest host. Sweet!

Seriously, I haven't seen anyone sing on the podium in what I've watched. From any country. Hell, they don't even play the words. All that I've seen seem fully aware of the significance of the moment, and represent the country with pride. Why the hell do they need to sing?

[K. Roman]

YOU have to be kidding!?

They win the gold and you still aren't happy?!
What the FK is wrong with you?

Who supports this guys view?

I can't believe how ungrateful you are!

Originally Posted by dd74

If they trained to win then I'd expect they would have rehearsed the song, particularly as they are representatives of this country, knowing as well cameras would be focused on them if they did win. If they don't know the song, fine - but don't poorly lip synch it.

BTW: do you know our National Anthem? Can you sing it word-for-word? You probably don't have much opportunity to do so, huh?

[dd74]

Originally Posted by K. Roman

YOU have to be kidding!?

They win the gold and you still aren't happy?!
What the FK is wrong with you?

Who supports this guys view?

I can't believe how ungrateful you are!

Hey Roman, you're taking this far out of proportion. If you don't know the words, why lip synch it? That's all I'm saying. And yes, I'm very happy with them winning the gold - I don't know from where you make the assessment that I'm not "happy" with Americans winning gold. Or ungrateful. Your projections are completely out of line, not that I care as is.

[dd74]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Why the hell do they need to sing?

I don't know. No one said they "need" to sing.

[K. Roman]

Sorry, I've calmed down.

[dd74]

Originally Posted by K. Roman

Sorry, I've calmed down.

Good man. Now let's go get a beer.

[widgeon13]

Sing, hell we're lucky if they speak English!

[island911]

Originally Posted by K. Roman

YOU have to be kidding!?

They win the gold and you still aren't happy?!
What the FK is wrong with you?

+1 --seems a stupid thing to say; " I think it's sort of embarrassing that I've seen, at best, a weak attempt at lip-synching our song." --dd

The idea is, the athletes are there to enjoy the moment; not provide further entertainment. If they sing a bit to themselves, fine.

[K. Roman]

My view is that a person performs at the highest levels of their entire life, trains for this moment, and after your performance, the time seems like a dream, it goes by very fast and before you know it, you are on a plane flying back, wishing you could have at least one more second to cherish.
It's a very emotional experience.

[dd74]

Originally Posted by island911

+1 --seems a stupid thing to say; " I think it's sort of embarrassing that I've seen, at best, a weak attempt at lip-synching our song." --dd

The idea is, the athletes are there to enjoy the moment; not provide further entertainment. If they sing a bit to themselves, fine.

I don't think it's "stupid." What I think is, it's strange, when later looking at videotape of one's self, and potentially embarrassing to realize "My lips aren't moving with the words from the song."

It's an opinion. That's all.

But thanks for your well thought out response and daunting use of the word "stupid."

[dd74]

Originally Posted by K. Roman

My view is that a person performs at the highest levels of their entire life, trains for this moment, and after your performance, the time seems like a dream, it goes by very fast and before you know it, you are on a plane flying back, wishing you could have at least one more second to cherish.
It's a very emotional experience.

True. Very true.

[scottmandue]

Whenever I hear out national anthem I express my patriotism with interpretive dance.

Kind of ticks people off at baseball games but I have to be true to myself and my country.

[dhoward]

You should see Scott's "O'er the ramparts we watched".
Truly breathtaking.