The Olympics

The Olympics.  Yup, you can just say those two words and so many things can spring to mind.  It is perhaps one of the few events that can inspire national pride.  This is one of the first years I’ve really paid attention to the festivities and such.  I watched the women’s figure skating back in 2006, and the gymnastics in 2008 (I was actually in NYC at the time, so we watched the Olympics almost every night at our hotel!  I remember cheering for Shawn Johnson; even though I had never met her, I was so proud of her.), and the opening ceremonies at Vancouver.  But this is the first year I’ve made a committed effort to watch a lot more.  Last night [I wrote this on Saturday while I was at my grandparents' without Internet], my cousin and I watched almost the entire opening ceremonies (we missed the first few countries).  I loved how the copper leaves formed the giant torch, but I am still confused on who the final torch bearer was.  Wasn’t it Wayne Gretzsky who carried the torch the final distance in Vancouver?  I couldn’t tell, at the London games, and it just didn't seem as fantastic.  I just saw the U.S. women’s team qualify in the swimming relay.  They had the second best time!  What I’m really looking forward to are women’s gymnastics and any of the equestrian events (horse freak right here, thanks to Canterwood Crest).  So, even if we disagree with the way our country is being run right now, or the economy, or we’re still mourning the Aurora, CO theater shooting, we have to be proud of the American athletes competing in the Olympics.  Athletes that work their behinds off are terrific role models for kids and teens.  They inspire hard work and show how exercise and playing sports can pay off.  A great majority of youth look up to celebrities—actors, singers, etc.  I’d rather have my children, some day, find role models in their parents, athletes, and politicians (depending on the politician…).  But every moment of watching the Olympics, my heart beats proudly (and sometimes way too quickly when my cousin decides to scare me out of my mind…) for the American Olympians.

Afternote #1: We saw Ryan Lochte almost beat Michael Phelps’s world record in the 400-meter men’s swimming.  Almost.  He was so close!

Afternote #2: I just watched Ye Shiwen beat the world record in women’s 400-meter.  She’s sixteen years old!

Afternote #3: Muffat and Schmitt just took first and second in women’s 400-meter freestyle, representing France and the U.S.  That makes me very happy, lol.  I may be loyal to my nation, but I’m rooting on the French athletes, too, since I’m such a—as my mother puts it—Francophile.

Afternote #4: Watching the women’s team gymnastics finals.  Seeing McKayla stick that landing on the vault and how the entire team did…I’ll be honest, I teared up a bit when they won and then when they got their gold medals.

Afternote #5: Men’s swimming relay…wow, just wow.  That lead was insane and then seeing Michael Phelps get his nineteenth Olympic medal.