I’m sorry to disappoint my readers by saying the I won’t be competing in the Olympics this year. My arthritic hip is acting up on me again and I was disqualified from my usual figure skating performance. However I will be watching. And watching is exactly what I’m good at anyway!
At Coney Island, watching was always the sport for me, which worked out really nicely since the place is and always was, teeming with show-offs and good natured competitors. A large crowd and lots of applause was the equivalent to a medal, and pretty much anybody could capture one. As a spectator, admission was free and you could count on a repeat performance next week-end — or a completely new and different one.
Coney Island is an event — a kind of Olympics of humanity. You can stand in one place and see it all, and you might be both audience and actor without even knowing it. These are just a few of the contenders you might see in the on-going Coney Island Olympics. (Oh, and I posed for the arm wrestler on the left. Don’t be intimidated).
In anticipation, some people get warmed-up on the way to Coney Island! I think this guy gets the gold!
Have fun watching the Olympics in Sochi, but always remember you can see good sports on the beach at Coney Island as soon as it gets warmer! Don’t miss it!
6 comments
bob salzman
I love this theme. And I suggest an event based upon another picture of yours: beach blanket toss. I think your photo captued the highest toss ever. I speak from years of experience as a lifeguard at Coney Island and Brighton Beach in the late 50’s.
Oh, how we all dreamed of being champions in the sun.
Thanks for the memories!
Harold Feinstein
Right you are! I’ll need to petition the Olympic committee on that one too!
Bensonhurst Bean » Blog Archive The Coney Island Olympics: Legendary Photographer Harvey Feinstein's 1940s - 1970s Beach Photos » Bensonhurst's News Blog
[…] Feinstein writes: […]
Sheepshead Bites » Blog Archive The Coney Island Olympics: Legendary Photographer Harold Feinstein's 1940s - 1970s Beach Photos » Sheepshead Bay News Blog
[…] Feinstein writes: […]
Bruce Handy
Inspirational photos, Harold. Today, 2/22/14, my friends and I open an exhibit of our Coney Island photos and today is the first time I’m seeing your extraordinary photos. I live in Coney Island and am a street photographer and our exhibit is in the Shooting Gallery on Surf Ave next to the Coney Island USA headquarters. It is where Denny’s Ice Cream was.
So excited to have found your photos on the same day our exhibit opens. Truly inspirational.
http://www.coneyisland.com/news/photo-exhibition-opening-stroll-through-coney-island-among-friends-saturday-222
Harold Feinstein
Great work Bruce. So glad you found me….and that I found you. I remember the Shooting Gallery well. Keep on clicking! Coney Island is the center of the universe!