United States Olympic rower Megan Kalmoe is tired of hearing about the poor conditions in Rio.
The rest of the globe has focused heavily on the conditions in Rio in recent days ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games, in large part because athletes have been advised to not open their mouths in the water. It’s apparently that bad over there, according to Andrew Jacobs of the New York Times. We’ve recently compiled a much bigger list of things gone wrong in Rio here.
Again, Kalmoe doesn’t want to hear it. She recently penned a column in the Guardian talking about the conditions.
After blasting the media coverage of the event, mainly because nobody spoke up and complained for the normal citizens of Rio who have had to always put up with the conditions, Kalmoe went to bat for her fellow athletes:
I will row through s–t for you, America.
And I will do it gladly, and proudly, because rowing on this team in Rio is not something I’m afraid of, or going to complain about. I will do it, and I will defend fiercely the dignity of the people who are doing their best to make everyone happy while we are all guests in their beautiful country. I will do it, and I will try to discourage you from taking away even the tiniest bit of magic or excitement from a single one of my teammates who have earned this trip with their blood and sweat, and all of whom deserve to have a really positive experience in Rio.
It’s hard not to stand with Kalmoe here. She, alongside all other Olympians, have worked their entire life to represent their country in the Games. Discrediting the Games because of conditions, especially when the world seems to dwell on it and never cared beforehand, seems like a smart rallying point.
So kudos to Kalmoe for the refreshing column. Will it alter coverage and perception? Here’s to hoping.