• Olympics' baby-seat policy prompts wails of protest

    By Rachel Elbaum

    Your flights are booked, itinerary organized, and every few weeks you sneak a peek at those nearly impossible-to-get tickets to the  Olympics. Then you realize that your new baby, who wasn’t even conceived when you made your plans, needs its own ticket – a ticket that could be just as difficult to get as yours was, and that could cost another small fortune. Some parents were gobsmacked this week to learn that babes-in-arms would be required to have their own tickets for Olympic events.

    After a public outcry from moms, dads and parents-to-be, Games organizers said in a statement on Tuesday that they may change their policy, and “will look at what we can do [for parents in this situation] when the remaining tickets go on sale in April.”

    Live Poll

    Would you take your baby to a major sporting event?

    View Results
    • 174314
      Yes. Go team!
      10%
    • 174315
      No. That's what big-screen TVs are for.
      90%

    VoteTotal Votes: 3612

     

    It was welcome news to many moms who say that they need to bring their babies to breast-feed, or because they have no other childcare options. Babies in a front-carrier or sling don't exactly take up more room or require their own seat (they can barely hold their heads up, let alone sit down,) although organizers have said the extra ticket is to ensure that Olympic venues don't exceed capacity.

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    Kid-free flights and restaurants: Where do we sign up?

    The Equality and Human rights Commission even told one complainant that she may have a case for “indirect sex discrimination,” the Guardian reported.

    But should parents really be bringing a baby to the Olympics in the first place? Long security lines, crowded stadiums and the need to take public transport to many Olympic events are just some of the obstacles -- and germ fests -- that parents and their babies will face this summer.

    Plus, London in July and August isn’t exactly like Beijing and Athens, homes of the last two Olympics. Summer in England can be downright chilly, never mind the rain. It's enough to persuade any parent to find a reliable sitter.

    Would you take your baby to the Olympics? Tell us in the comments section below.

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  • What was your favorite Olympic moment?

    The Olympic Games in Vancouver have been filled with many spectacular stories. Which moment was your favorite?

    Results with 3 short comments
    Total of 19 votes - click on the "Display Comments" bar below to sort comments

    5.3%
    U.S. skier Lindsay Vonn wins gold in the downhill.
    1 vote
    26.3%
    Speedskater Apollo Ohno earns seventh medal, the most by a U.S. winter athlete.
    5 votes
    68.4%
    Skating after her mom's tragic death, Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette wins the bronze.
    13 votes
    Display Comments:
    Speedskater Apollo Ohno earns seventh medal, the most by a U.S. winter athlete.

    I enjoyed all aspects of the Olympics. I really got into speed skating this time around and loved it! The judging stinks in some events.

      #1
       - ohouratriplthret
       - 12:18 pm EST on Sat Feb 27, 2010
      Skating after her mom's tragic death, Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette wins the bronze.

      What an inspiring moment!

        #2
         - ConnieFoggles
         - 2:21 am EST on Sun Feb 28, 2010
        Skating after her mom's tragic death, Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette wins the bronze.

        Knowing how close they were, it is amazing that she was even able to skate a whole program--let alone actually win a medal!

          #3
           - Momof5-2
           - 4:25 pm EST on Thu Mar 11, 2010

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        • From pregnancy to the Olympics in under a year: Too soon or just right?

          French figure skater Isabelle Delobel returned to elite competition with her ice dancing partner Olivier Schoenfelder four months after giving birth to her son. The skating duo finished sixth in Vancouver. Do you think her return was impressive or too soon?

          Results
          Total of 491 votes

          26.5%
          Her return was impressive. I give her a lot of credit for the gold-medal effort it took to recover from pregnancy and prepare for such elite competition.
          130 votes
          10.8%
          I think it was too soon. Her body and her baby couldn't possibly be ready for that kind of physical and emotional commitment.
          53 votes
          62.7%
          I don't think it should even be a question. Women return to work all the time. Hers might be more physical than some, but think about the women that have to be back at work within 6 weeks!
          308 votes

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        • Would you encourage your child to be an Olympic athlete?

          The countdown to Vancouver is on and athletes around the world are preparing to compete in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. For most it's taken years of hard work and hardship to get here. Would you encourage your child to shoot for this elite level of competition?

          Results with 2 short comments
          Total of 93 votes

          59.1%
          Yes. If she has what it takes I'm with her all the way.
          55 votes
          11.8%
          No. I wouldn't want my child to have to endure the pain and pressure involved at that elite level of competition.
          11 votes
          29%
          I'm not sure. I'll cross that bridge when and if I see my child rising to that level, but I do worry about pushing him too much.
          27 votes
          Display Comments:
          Yes. If she has what it takes I'm with her all the way.

          Being in Vancouver Canada near Whistler you have to just hear the
          enthusiasm and dreams of kids who like the Olympic Athletes want
          to be.

            #4
             - autismtodaypartyproject
             - 11:41 am EST on Mon Feb 1, 2010
            I'm not sure. I'll cross that bridge when and if I see my child rising to that level, but I do worry about pushing him too much.

            It also depends on the sport - nordic skiing yes - snowboard cross, no!

              #5
               - CordeliaPotter
               - 12:42 pm EST on Mon Feb 1, 2010

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