Google me: Games cliche worth its weight in gold

By JULIET ROWAN


The term "Greek tragedy" is becoming synonymous with the Athens Olympics, as journalists milk the cliche for all it's worth to spice up stories on the Games.

Google News showed 902 results for "Greek tragedy" early yesterday morning, most referring to the sporting event.

Headlines ranged from the elated ("No Greek tragedy, just sheer triumph") to the dejected ("Empty seats create a Greek tragedy").

Seeing world-class athletes compete in huge venues without spectators is certainly pitiful. But a Greek tragedy by virtue of anything except location?

Even the Greeks are using the phrase.

"This is an actual Greek tragedy," a "mournful" Athens taxi-driver allegedly told an Arizona Republic reporter after Greek track stars Kostas Kenteris and Ekaterini Thanou crashed their motorcycle on the way to a hearing to explain why they missed their drug tests.

But the taxi-driver had nothing on News24.com, which began its report on the story with this gem: "A Greek tragedy fills the air that hangs like a hot blanket over Athens on this Friday the 13th public holiday as the world awaits the opening ceremony in the country where the Olympic Games were born."

So what is a Greek tragedy?

Tragedy, in the theatrical sense, is by definition Greek. Inspired by tales of Greek gods and adhering to ideals outlined by Greek philosopher Aristotle, tragedy was performed in Greek theatre well before Shakespeare came along with Othello and Romeo and Juliet.

Aristotle said tragedy must be catastrophic, inevitable and characterised by a tragic flaw; that is, a hero whose actions lead to the catastrophe.

The hero's suffering should be disproportionate to his guilt, his torment should seem unjust and unfair to the audience, and his pain should appear beyond human endurance but be to some extent redemptive.

Aristotle theorised that watching tragedy produces catharsis, a purging of the emotions.

So how do poor ticket sales stack up in the Greek tragedy stakes?

Catastrophic? Possibly, for Olympic organisers.

Inevitable? Yes, if you concentrate on building venues and forget to advertise for people to fill the venues.

A tragic flaw/flawed hero? Not obvious yet, but it's only a matter of time before some poor sod is hung out to dry.

Cathartic? Doubtful.

A much better contender for the Greek tragedy of the Olympics is the story of local judoka Eleni Ioannou and her boyfriend, Giorgos Chrisostomidis.

Six days before the opening ceremony, Ioannou threw herself off the balcony of the couple's flat after a lovers' quarrel.

Chrisostomidis, a recovering drug addict, had not been able to stand the thought of separation from Ioannou while she stayed at the Olympic Village.

Two days after she jumped, he followed suit. Both were left fighting for their lives in hospital.

A real, flawed, modern-day Greek Romeo and Juliet.