U.S. Dream Team in Barcelona

In response to “Overkill by the Overpaid at Barcelona,” by George Black, Column Left, July 26:

For America, patriotic pride is vehemently instilled in its citizens when we have worked hard at something, overcome all possible odds, and emerged victorious in the end. In the Olympics, we continue to emphatically witness the American toughness and diligence that is clearly present in young men and women when they bring home medals, and not only does it make us feel proud for our country, but also for the individual who has finally been able to fulfill his/her childhood dream, with all the risk in the world having been involved, right from the very beginning of training.

The Dream Team doesn’t have to worry about risk, so long as they are beating the other teams by at least a 20-point margin, but they have to win. If they return home with anything less than a gold medal, then America will have wondered, well, it wasn’t really worth it sending them there.

Pride. Are we risking it? You bet we are. But to which, money or arrogance? I don’t know which is worse. America better come down off its high horse because someday, we might not have any more pride--or dreams--to risk.

KAREN M. CHENG

Glendale