My Take: By Matthew McCully

I think going forward with the Olympics during a pandemic proves beyond a shadow of a doubt the once-revered institution has lost its way.
There was a time when athletes were the focus.
Watching someone land an unlandable jump, beat a world record, or power through an injury and cross the finish line on the shoulder of a competitor was a source of great inspiration and national unity.
And seeing all walks of life together on one stage, performing at their absolute best was my first glimpse at different-looking people from places I didn’t recognize, and I was enthralled.
Then somewhere down the line things went south.
It’s almost as though the spirit of competition spilled off the playing field and polluted the organizing committee.
The Olympics stopped being about excellence, determination and perseverance.
It’s all about money now, and athletes are paying the price.