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It was 20 Years Ago Today when the Berlin Wall was Torn Down

November 9, 2009 by Jimson Lee

When did the Berlin Wall get knocked down?

The Wall was finally breached by Berliners on November 9, 1989, unifying a city that had been divided for over 30 years.

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the historic event.

As far as Olympics goes, Germany experienced the biggest challenge with a unified team.  After all, there are only 3 spots on the team per event!

For some people, the 1992 Olympics were the real Olympics where athletes truly represented the country of birth and citizenship.  The Soviet Union and Sergey Bubka is a good example.

1960 & 1964 had Cold War implications.  1968 had Human Rights as the platform.  1972 has the massacre.

Boycotts from 1976-1980-1984 ruined the Games (in my opinion).  1988 had some electricity in it, and the whole Ben Johnson mess certainly amplified it.

Of course, the number of countries participating in the modern Olympic Games are doubling.  This makes the Opening ceremonies a whole day affair.  And the infield is getting awfully crowded.

I have countless examples of medal winners from all sports who represented one country, but was really from another.  Algerians competing under France.  Jamaicans competing under Great Britain.  Koreans competing under Japan.  And so on.

Yugoslavia competed as a unified nation right up until 1996.

Today, depending on where you live, we should be grateful for our freedom.  November 11 is around the corner, though a lot of us weren’t around in 1918.

At the end, the most important part of the Olympics is not winning, but the struggle.  And taking part.

As long as a I have my VCR PVR, that is.  And Dartfish software.

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Written by Jimson Lee · Filed Under Olympic History 

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