OLYMPIC COMMENTARY

No, not mine. I just watch and make up commentary in my head.  But if you are hankering for great cultural/political/athletic analysis of the Olympics, I highly recommend Maggie Jochild's essays which are cross posted on her blog Maggie's Meta Watershed, and Group News Blog.

My favorite sport? The equestrian events, the only Olympic sport which depends on the communication and athleticism of more than one species. Dressage is ridiculously difficult, subtle, and beautiful. The clothing (for both human and equine) is gorgeous and gender neutral. Probably too warm, though, for summer in Beijing. I used to compete in horse shows in the summer, and whew! I couldn't wait to shed my jacket and hardhat.

Mary King of Great Britain on Call Again Cavalier. Photo:Julian Herbert/Getty Images

At the risk of totally embarrassing myself, here is a photo of me in the mid seventies on my horse Tempo. Any of you who know about riding can see in a glance that my form is terrible - check out the line from elbow to bit, which should be straight but isn't.  Tempo, a Palomino Quarter Horse, bless his soul, really hated jumping and eventually I gave up asking him to. His passion was walking along our long dirt road, looking for fallen apples. That was just fine with me. He also hated trailers and bridges, and he broke my nose once when he was terrified (of a new barn), but he was a great guy.

I apologize for the poor quality of this photo, but it's the only one I have.

Liza riding Tempo. Circa 1978.

And, may I say, I really miss the old days of Olympic coverage with Jim McKay. RIP Jim.

 
Jim McKay AP Photo/ABC