Here's the Men's lightweight 4 rowing team from South Africa, just before they came from behind to win the gold.
I am well aware of the serious issues in South Africa today and the limitations of isolated sporting camaraderie as serious politics. But once upon a time I was roughed up by cops on my way to jail for protesting US support for the institution that made the very existence of such a team illegal. (The same institution that imprisoned, tortured, and later exiled my friend and mentor Dennis Brutus for demanding integration as a condition upon participation in the olympics.) Since my connection was nowhere near unique, nor as deep as that of many, I wonder how many others found themselves caught up in the social/political affect of the celebration. (I'm pretty sure Dennis would have taken a short break from his life-long agitation to treasure this moment.)
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