Does it occur to the author, that the reason why Olympians are held in such esteem, is that some of us who have dabbled in their realm realize just how freaking good they are at what they do?

I've played basketball since I was 5 years old. I still play basketball. I consider myself a basketball player, even at age 46. Does that make me an NBA quality basketball player or Olympian quality player? No. But I compete. I respect how good great ball players are, because I know how hard it is to sink that thirty foot jumpshot consistently. I recognize just how good Kobe Bryant is, because I know how much of his arsenal I don't have.

But being really good at something, doesn't give one license to put down others who have also competed at the same sport. I've played with NBA players before, and none of them have suggested that "I don't play basketball" even though I am no match for them. They just play it at a higher level and I respect them for that. But that won't stop me from setting a pick on them, or challenging them in the paint. And if I get dunked on, so be it. But I haven't heard any of them utter, "you don't play ball."

So get over yourself. Celebrate your accomplishments, but don't speak down to those you left in your wake.

When you read these letters newest to oldest, the first Editor's Choice letter is, surprise, one that seems to support the article.

This commentary(?), well, journal entry, let's say, is whiny and narcissistic. The fact that Salon published it is, of course, totally predictable (as they mostly publish drivel these days), but nevertheless pathetic. Then, to heap it on, they, as usual, ignore the scads of letters calling them on their bs and star a supporting letter. I'm not saying anything about the letter writer (Luckycat) who is, of course, entitled to an opinion; i'm laughing at Salon's brazen patting itself on the back.

You don't turn into a condescending jerk when you watch the Olympics. Rather, you simply reveal the condescending jerk that you already are.

"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned."

my wife had when meeting Olympian Michael Johnson at some public function...his attitude basically being: who are you, and why am I giving you the time of day while I bask in the magnificence that is myself?

For a moment, I kinda felt sorry for Sey, given her emotional baggage from walking the fine line between perfection and a lifetime of disappointment in athletics...and I might have been ready to stand behind her opinions of zealous fans if she had been more clear about renouncing her own self-righteousness regarding her ability has a hyper-athlete...which runs counter to the spirit of the Olympics (or at least what we're told we should believe).

But alas, she shows no remorse for being who she is, and feels that it's her right to point out her magnificence to us, the little people of America who dare to try and show some kind of support to our athletes in a field that, frankly, doesn't pay shit when compared to the likes of Kobe Bryant and the entire NBA. A lot of this has more to do with the authors jaded worldview...most Olympic athletes (the winners AND the losers) are generally very appreciative of their fans, Michael Johnson not included on that list.

I almost get the feeling that Sey would be very much like Michael Johnson if she WAS an Olympic gold-medal winning athlete...instead, we, the fans, get to drink bitter waters from her well (just read the full title of her Chalked Up book, and you'll see what I mean).

Thanks a bunch, Sey. I feel so Lilliputian now...

Yes, I was just noticing how the only red-starred letters are the two or three out of the dozens here that agree with the article. Christ, Salon, get your act together. This Jennifer Sey person can call herself a "writer" with the same seriousness she calls amateur athletes "swimmers" or "gymnasts."

You would have to perform some serious logical contortionism in order to agree with what she's written here. Her argument basically amounts to "I AM UNDER THE IMPRESSION that fans think they COULD BE BETTER THAN ME IF THEY TRIED even though I HAVE NEVER HEARD ANYONE SAY THAT AND CANNOT EVEN PROVIDE ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE TO THAT EFFECT but you should still FEEL SORRY FOR ME AND ALL THE PAIN I WENT THROUGH EVEN THOUGH I NEVER ACTUALLY MEDALED IN THE OLYMPICS OR EVEN CAME CLOSE."

I can see why this article generated so much negative feedback. She deserves it. Recognizing she is a horrible condescending jerk, does not mitigate her being a horrible condescending jerk. And she forgot bitter.

My favorite was from mcsnee on the first page.

... I feel the same way about ex-athletes who say they write.

-- mcsnee

Summed it up very succinctly. mcsnee unfortunately felt guilty about the response and followed it up claiming it was a joke. I wish mcsnee should have left it stand as is.

If Jennifer Bey feels casual athletes and weekend warriors aren't entitled to watch the olympics and let their experiences help them share in a little of the olympic spirit, to avoid being a hypocrit she needs to stop writing immediately. Maybe she should even stop reading. She can't know the work real writers put forth in developing their craft so by reading anything written by a real writer, she is just like those sports fans watching the olympics she derides so poorly.

While the article was a bit "inartful", it was good. She clearly mocked herself and the armchair fans. But, it's not a surprise that Salon's Letters Section posse of defensive hectoring scolds, who always stand ready to be offended by something or the other, are out in force wailing away.