Olympic MOO!

Well, by gosh, you should have known I'd have to write about this brouhaha.  Somebody posted the link on Facebook. The issue is about the US Olympics Committee being peeved at some knitters.  Knitters, I tell you! Here's an excerpt from the story:

If you mess with the Olympics trademark, a cloud of legal hurt will descend on you faster than Tyson Gay in the Men's 100 meters. Case in point: The U.S. Olympic Committee has sent a cease and desist letter to a knitting-based social network for hosting a knitting "olympics." Now, knitters are in revolt.

2012 was to be the third year that the knitting social network Ravelry—yes, this exists and is surprisingly popular—hosted a "Ravelympics," a knitting competition for users that includes events like an "afghan marathon," and "scarf hockey." Knitters were supposed to compete in their events while watching the actual Games on TV.
But that was before the U.S. Olympics Committee got wind of it and sent Ravelry a cease & desist, for making a mockery of the Games with their needlework. Here's a passage from the letter, sent by the USOC's general counsel and posted by Ravelry founder Casey Forbes to his blog (Ravelry account required):

The athletes of Team USA have usually spent the better part of their entire lives training for the opportunity to compete at the Olympic Games and represent their country in a sport that means everything to them. For many, the Olympics represent the pinnacle of their sporting career. Over more than a century, the Olympic Games have brought athletes around the world together to compete at the Olympic Games and represent their country in a sport that means everything to them.
[…]
We believe using the name "Ravelympics" for a competition that involves an afghan marathon, scarf hockey and sweater triathlon, among others, tends to denigrate the true nature of the Olympic Games. In a sense, it is disrespectful to our country's finest athletes and fails to recognize or appreciate their hard work.  [Emphasis added]

Do you believe this?  How small, how mean of the US Olympic Committee.

And if it applies to knitters, by gum, I imagine it applies to quilters, too. For the past several Olympic seasons, I've watched every single night, doing my handwork, and holding what I called my Olympic Binding Event, little realizing that this could possibly be offensive to a skater, a gymnast, a javelin thrower (and I certainly don't want to get on the wrong side of him) or a luger. I'd already begun lining up projects for the London Games, set to begin in a little over a month. Dare I continue my plans? Or "scrap" the idea of viewing and watch West Wing reruns instead?

Knitters, I stand beside you!  I salute you!  Cast on!