At the same time, Putin’s visit to the members of the U.S. Olympic team at their residence was a consummate gesture of diplomacy and good sportsmanship. Watching Olympic events is always uplifting, mainly because, amid the rivalries and intense competition, the athletes typically bond, transcending ethnic and political differences.

I was especially saddened as I watched Putin embrace the Russian medal winners and applaud the efforts of our Americans. And there were so many moments when it would have been fitting for our nation’s leader to have been present to personally support both the triumphs and heart-breaking failures of our Americans.

A case in point was Bode Miller’s bronze medal run in the Super G and his emotional collapse during the press interview that followed. He not only became the oldest downhill competitor to win an Olympic medal, he had done it in honor of his younger brother, who had recently died of a convulsion. If medals of honor could be awarded for heroism in athletic endeavors, it would be Obama’s duty to bestow one on Miller.

Really, there should be moments when political leaders can get above their bickering and join in the spirit of Olympic competition – “though they come from the ends of the earth.” As of Feb. 17, the United States and Russia were tied in the medal count (16 each), with our Charley White/Meryl Davis, gold medal favorites, yet to perform in their long dance. I think Obama should get his feckless butt on a plane, right now, and get directly behind our Olympic athletes at Sochi.

Tom Wright

Aztec