About Patriotism

What pops into your mind when it comes to "Olympics"?
For me, the first thing is Liu Xiang, a man who is entilted called the "Speed of Shanghai", also the record setter holder of for the 110-meter hurdles race. The second thing is about the medals, especially the ones for the Beijing Olympics, which are were made of both gold and jade. They Gold and jade are the symbols of glory and success.
The third thing is about patriotism. It seems that the Olympics provides us with a platform where people from all over the world, old or young, man or women woman, poor or rich, can start at go to the same starting line and be treated with no difference and or discrimination during the games. It is intended to boost the solidarity and coherence in this splendid gala. But two news items I have read lately cast doubt on my perspective of patriotism.
One is about the uniforms for the American teams. In effect, they are sponsored by a well-known brand, Ralph Lauren. The design is inspired by the classic marine look, with blue and red stripes. Well, the controversy does not lie in what the suits look like, but where they were made. They are "Made in China". Some politicians directly linked it with the patriotism and stressed the relationship with the high unemployment rate in America. They even argued that this bunch of clothes should be pulled into a big pot and burned immediately.
The other is about a random survey among London citizens. About 60% of them hold that they will not go to see the looming Olympic Games. Moreover, they will choose to leave the city at on weekends during the Games, since there will be swarms of people come coming to London.
Thus, the meaning of holding the Olympic Games is no longer about gathering people together, rendering increasing the opportunities for communicating communication, or enhancing the solidarity and patriotism among the people. More attentino attention has been emphasized placed on national interests, private convenience, and the hidden trouble imagined concerns. The Olympic Games have has been commericalized commercialized so much that people seem to ignore the essence of this traditional game event. That is a pity.

You write well.