While the Olympic coverage of the US media focuses on swimming, gymnastics and other sports for housewives and men with “sensitive dispositions”, many more worthy sports toil in near anonymity. Judo, for example, doesn’t receive anywhere near the attention it deserves. Its hard to suggest that an armed conflict might have an upside, but at least it gave the mainstream media a “hook” to report that Irakli Tsirekidze won the 90 kg. Olympic gold medal for Georgia. Making the victory all the more emotional was his semifinal victory over Russian Ivan Pershin. In the aftermath of the victory, Tsirekidze pointed to the big “Georgia” logo on the back of his gi. While most people accepted it as part of the exultation of his victory, many of the same easily offended Euro-centric journalist types had a cow much as when US Cyclists rolled into town before the games began wearing face masks to protect themselves from Beijing’s brackish air:

Irakli Tsirekidze made a simple yet powerful statement after he defeated his Russian competitor in a semifinal judo match on Wednesday: He pointed with both thumbs to the letters “GEO” on the back of his traditional judo uniform. He wanted the crowd — and the world — to see his homeland.

But the statement from the International Olympic Committee that followed later after he won the gold medal was even stronger. An official interrupted questions about the gesture and tried to make it clear that politics have no place in the Games. Even if they are inseparable.

Further underscoring the toughness of the Georgian people, Manuchar Kvirkelia added a gold in 74 kg. Greco-Roman wrestling. Georgia has an impressive tradition in judo, with Zurab Zviadauri having won the 90 kg. judo gold at the 2004 games. Zvaidauri’s win was the first gold for Georgia in any sport which, needless to say, has made him something of a national hero. Zvaidauri is now under contract to the Japanese World Victory Road MMA promotion, though he’s yet to make his debut as a professional fighter.