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Knitters Outraged After U.S. Olympic Committee Squashes Knitting Olympics—and Disses Knitters

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Tue, 2012-06-26 04:47 — bobinthebul
bobinthebul's picture

I wonder if the USOC knows

I wonder if the USOC knows about the Turkish Olympics?
http://www.istanbul.org.au/TurkceOlimpiyat.htm

Sat, 2012-06-23 21:40 — YarnGuy716
YarnGuy716's picture

Ok, unpopular opinion here,

Ok, unpopular opinion here, but I'm going to put it out there. First off, I seriously think that "the knitting community" needs to get over it. USOC was protecting their legal copyright, it was about business, just like Ravelry is a business. As for the statements about knitting made in the cease and desist letter, I've been a knitter for over 25 years and have heard much worse said about knitting and the fact that I am a knitter. Right now "The Fiber Community" is reacting emotionally with far too much personal affront to the situation. The calls for boycotts, terminations of those responsible, as well as the "mob mentality" towards the whole situation is just way out of line.

I think the Yarn Harlot did an excellent job of summing up the situation in her blog.
http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2012/06/21/now_that_you_ask.html

Sat, 2012-07-07 18:56 — michaelpthompson
michaelpthompson's picture

Stephanie's comments were

Stephanie's comments were excellent and cogent. There was certainly a backhanded slap in the comment that comparing knitting to world-class athletics "denigrates" sports. However, working to protect a trademark is certainly reasonable and within their purview.

Having said that, I wonder how a modern organization can be granted exclusive rights to a tradition that predates the founding of our country by a couple of thousand years. Wouldn't the ancient inhabitants of Mount Olympus have a prior claim?

Sat, 2012-07-07 22:53 — Bill
Bill's picture

I suspect campaign

I suspect campaign contributions in the right places helped...

Fri, 2012-06-22 00:58 — Bill
Bill's picture

On the plus side...ravelry's

On the plus side...ravelry's getting teriffic free publicity!

Thu, 2012-06-21 21:08 — superi
superi's picture

Just to clarify this is not

Just to clarify this is not coming from the US Olympic team... it's coming from the US Olympic Committee, not the athletes themselves.

Thu, 2012-06-21 17:23 — Bill
Bill's picture

I understand they have to

I understand they have to send the "cease and desist" letter to protect their trademark...but that was beyond what was called for.
I plan to write to the Marketing departments of olympic advertisers to let them know the "Big Brother" approach has affected their sales.

I support firms that contribute to our teams...but not olympic advertisers.

Thu, 2012-06-21 16:48 — scottly
scottly's picture

I love, love the Olympics as

I love, love the Olympics as long as I don't pay any attention to how seriously they take themselves - OMG - you would think they actually thought they were Greek Gods. I for one believe that knitting is responsible for far more world harmony and good will then the Olympics ever was and to say that knitting is a "less than" activity is just outright uppity. Is there any way we can blame this on Mitt Romney?

Thu, 2012-06-21 14:13 — DiscoB75
DiscoB75's picture

That's a good idea, ilhiker.

That's a good idea, ilhiker. I think we should knit five squares joined together as our logo, too...lol.

Thu, 2012-06-21 13:33 — DiscoB75
DiscoB75's picture

I saw that. However, I agree

I saw that. However, I agree with the following comment on the article regarding the apology:

"Petra Cosgrove-Tremblay
This apology falls FAR short of responding to "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."

THAT is not a boilerplate C&D.

THAT is why the fiber arts community is beyond furious with the USOC. And this? Fixes nothing."

Thu, 2012-06-21 13:24 — cobwebmsnd
cobwebmsnd's picture

You might be interested in

You might be interested in this. It's the USA Olympic Team's response to the knitting community's reaction.
http://www.teamusa.org/News/2012/June/21/statement-from-usoc-spokesperson-patrick-sandusky.aspx

Thu, 2012-06-21 14:03 — ilhiker
ilhiker's picture

I think it is very ballsy for

I think it is very ballsy for the Olympic Team to ask Ravelry to cease and desist, but then tells them that it would be great if knitters would make and donate items. It's great to read the replies/comments. Lots of pissed off people with all manner of sharp pointy things in their hands. Hide your balls, boys!

We should have our own Knitting Olympics here on Men Who Knit...not a competition, but just set a few times when everyone is knitting and online at the same time. Maybe set up Skype or Yahoo, or another free chat host.