Our previous Olympic heroes have been figures who have made tremendous contributions to the Games over the years. This Olympic hero has never competed. What's more, she's never broadcasted - at least not officially, anyway. In fact, her first proper involvement in the olympics isn't until Sunday. But when you've got a voice like Karlha Magliocco's, you get involved whenever the fuck you feel like it.
Karlha is a flyweight boxer who will take on Erica Matos in her first round fight on Sunday, but the by then the ExCel Arena, the crowds, commentators and everyone else will be more than familiar with the diminuitive Venezuelan. See, Karlha can scream. I mean, she can SCREAM. And any time a Venezuelan fighter steps inside the ropes, Ms. Magliocco endevours to bellow support from her lofty vantage point, completely alone in the top deck (pictured above).
At first people found it annoying. Then it became kind of endearing, especially as she encouraged them to join in. By the end, every scream was greeted with rapturous ovations from the thousands assembled. When Hungary's Zoltan Harcsa had the impertinence to defeat Jose Espinoza on Monday, he was booed heartily by every single person in the building. He was, needless to say, utterly clueless as to what he had done to deserve it. But we knew.
So Karlha - expected to make an early exit at the hands of her Brazilian opponent - is inducted into the most exclusive club of the Games - The 'Lympic Legends. Gabriel Maestre of Venezuela takes on Siphiwe Lusizi on Friday. Magliocco will presumably be there too.
Turn the volume up and enjoy.
Turn the volume up and enjoy.
No comments:
Post a Comment