Why is Mark Spitz whining about the olympics?

[Bob]

US swim legend Mark Spitz won't be on hand in Beijing if Michael Phelps breaks his record of seven gold medals at a single Olympics—because, he says, no one bothered to invite him.

Mark knew that the Olympics happened every 4 years and Michael Phelps has been in the news for how long now. So now Mark Spitz is whining about not being invited to the Olympics?

Should we all give Mark a collective WAAAAAAAH!!!! He is looking for a free ride to China. Hey Mark, why don't you buy a ticket like everyone else if you want to watch it or be part of history? Just because you are an olympic champion doesn't mean you get special treatment.

Am I being too rough on Mark?

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/news?slug=afp-oly2008swimusaspitz&prov=afp&type=lgns
Esther - I am sorry, but this is a grown man. He is what 50 something now? He is acting like a spoiled brat. I wasn't invited boo hoo hoo. Hey Mark - Buy a plane ticket and a swim ticket like everyone else.

 

[cat14675]

Because he wasn't invited...boo hoo! I believe too that he was wanting a free ride, and his picture on TV again (publicity helps with new job)..He was invited last year, but didn't get on TV during the swimming...waaaaaa!!!!

 

[TallGrl]

I am sooo glad that I'm not the only one that feels this way, that he sounded so whiny....however, just to play devil's advocate...I don't know if past olympic champions are traditionally invited or not...Does Mary Lou Retton get a free ride to the summer games? Evelyn Ashford? Bob Beamon? Carl Lewis? Bruce Jenner? All of these people have had stellar olympic careers, but I don't see any of them grabbing media mikes and griping. If it's traditional that elite athetes of the past olympics *do* get a free ride then I can understand why Spitz's feelings are hurt. That said, he's old enough that he should know how to accept a possible snub with grace and dignity. If my three year old acted like this, I'd be sending her to her room for a time-out.