Now that things are really heating up in United States politics and the show is really getting going, we will no doubt start hearing more references to horse racing. The reason is that horse racing has been such an integral part of American culture since before the states formed their union.

President Andrew Jackson was an ardent fan and owner of thoroughbreds. During his life his state of Tennessee was the thoroughbred breeding capital of the new nation and the president took part in all aspects of racing. In fact, he fought a duel over a horseracing debt and an insult to his wife. Obviously, he survived and went on to lead the young nation. His lessons at the track probably served him well in politics.

As odd as it may seem, it is possible to learn a few lessons about horse racing from politics as well as to learn a few lessons about politics from horse racing. I think the most important lesson to be learned is that it isn’t over until it is over and declared official. The political race for President between Al Gore and George Bush, Jr. certainly reinforced that. How much like a stewards inquiry and objection was the whole Florida, hanging chad debacle?

We who bet on the thoroughbreds, quarter horses, or harness races know that even if it appears one runner has won, you can’t cash your ticket until the judges declare it official. I’ve been disappointed by many a stewards decision and also by the political maneuvering that has gone on in some of the elections I’ve voted in. Either way, as he saying goes, “You pay your money and you takes your chances.”

So when you are playing the ponies, remember, don’t rip up your tickets until the race is official and you are sure you’ve lost and don’t head for the window to cash until you’re certain you’ve won and the officials agree.

Another valuable lesson for horseracing handicappers and political prognosticators is that just because a runner is in the lead and seems to be going strong, it doesn’t mean that he or she is a sure winner. Front runners do get to dictate the pace and may have a psychological advantage, but there are also some advantages to sitting back off the pace and letting a front runner burn out on the lead.

In the recent Democratic primaries it seemed that the front runner was a sure thing, but as history has recently shown, there are no sure things in politics or racing. Whether betting on horses or politicians, don’t bet it all on any one runner and always keep a few bucks in your shoe to eat on and get you home.

Among the Greeks, fitness competitions and games were nationalistic in spirit; states were said to have been prouder of Olympic victories than of battles won. Women, foreigners, slaves, and dishonored persons were forbidden to compete. Contestants were required to train faithfully for 10 months before the games and had to take an oath that they had fulfilled the training requirements before participating. At first, the Olympic Games were confined to running, but over time new events were added. The winners of the Olympics were crowned with chaplets of wild olive, and in their home city-states male champions were also awarded valuable gifts and privileges.

As a visible focus of world energies, the Olympic Games have been prey to many factors that have thwarted their ideals of world co-operation and athletic excellence. Like in ancient Greece, nationalistic fervour has fostered intense rivalries that have at times threatened the survival of the games. Although officially only individuals are able to win Olympic medals, nations routinely assign political significance to the feats of their citizens and teams. For example, between 1952 and 1988 rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union, rooted in mutual political antagonism, resulted in each boycotting games hosted by the other (Moscow, 1980; Los Angeles, 1984).

Politics has influenced the Olympic Games in other ways, from the propaganda of the Nazis in Berlin (1936) to pressures leading to the exclusion of white-ruled Rhodesia from the Munich games (1972). At Munich, nine Israeli athletes were kidnapped and murdered by Palestinian terrorists.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), which sets and enforces Olympic policy, has struggled with the licensing and commercialisation of the games, the need to schedule events to accommodate television networks, and the monitoring of athletes who seek illegal competitive advantage, often through the use of performance-enhancing drugs. In 1998 a scandal erupted with revelations that bribery and favouritism had played a role in the awarding of the 2002 Winter Games to Salt Lake City, Utah, and in the selection of some earlier venues.

But, regardless of the Olympic Games tensions, it is historically proven that sports have acted as a liaison between nations and have greatly contributed to their evolution. Beginning with the sociological, psychological and physiological aspects of the human nature, sports have gained the praise of people worldwide, as they have contributed to their well being. Group-oriented, since in order to be a winner one has to compete, sport brings people closer together and generates team-spirit along with mind and physical awareness. But, whether or not the contemporary Olympic Games act as an opportunity for nations to learn from one another and cooperate or are just another opportunity for people to engage in competitive and hostile rivalries, only historians of the future will be able to judge with some certainty.
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