SEEKING OLYMPIC INTEGRITY

One Olympic Games
A summer of hope, of chase
Of fulfillment and dreams being accomplished
Somehow of cheating does not fit
But there’s host China
A county of nearly 10 million people
Many of them darn good athletes
Like Yao
Wang and Chang, Hue and Sue
The latter four names just to throw out names
But the point of all points is that this is a country that has options
Thousands of options, athletes to choose from
So why cheat?
Why be accused of it
As is the case of the Chinese gymnastics team, winner of six medals
Including the team gold
But was it with the help of He Kexin, who might be only 14 years old
Yes, 14, and ineligible to compete by the Olympic age requirement
Something you’d think the Chinese government would know
And surely does know
Which beings of the question
Why cheat?
When the world is watching, when competition is supposed to be intense and tough
But fair
Above all, fair
With blood and guts, if necessary to achieve glory
So there is no place for cheating
Not even the speculation of cheating
Not with kids or grown adults
Not in these Beijing Games
Or any other Olympic Games
And the hope is that the Chinese government will fess up
Take its slap on the wrist, shame if you will
And do the right thing
Admit guild so that the integrity of the Olympic Games will be maintained.