I have to say I could possibly be one of the biggest Olympic fans out there. When I was young I wanted to be an Olympic historian. yeah, seriously, WHO in their right mind wants to be and Olympic historian.... ME. Yup. I did.
In fact my youngest memory as a child was watching former Olympic t.v. host Jim McKay tell about the terrible shooting in the Munich Games in 1972. I was three years old. We were all glued to the t.v. as he spoke about the terrorist. then it was watching Olga Korbit of Russia win gold in the summer games. The years followed with 1976 with Nadia Comenicci win gold in Montreal and in 1980 the winter games in Lake Placid, the hockey team winning gold. No one MOVED from their t.v. while watching those college kids play their heart out for their country and the highest honor of gold. It was spectacular. I can still hear my dad cheer the team on from our den as the players scored goals against the stately and notoriously strong Soviet team. Those college boys won gold and gave the U.S. something to hope for during a turbulent economic and political time. I was young in 1980..only 11 but remember it like it was yesterday.
Four years later the games were in Sarajevo. We saw skater Scott Hamelton win gold with an electrifying performance as well as the British Ice Dancing team of Torvil and Dean grab our attention to a gold medal performance that left everyone who watched speechless.
Every four years athletes became super stars, heroes. They became hope as they dominated. They rise to the top of their game and fall to the bottom with nothing to show. The dedication that these athletes give to their sport in none like any. They represent the sprot, their country and themselves to become Olympic Champions. They want nothing more than to bring home the Gold for their country.
In fact my youngest memory as a child was watching former Olympic t.v. host Jim McKay tell about the terrible shooting in the Munich Games in 1972. I was three years old. We were all glued to the t.v. as he spoke about the terrorist. then it was watching Olga Korbit of Russia win gold in the summer games. The years followed with 1976 with Nadia Comenicci win gold in Montreal and in 1980 the winter games in Lake Placid, the hockey team winning gold. No one MOVED from their t.v. while watching those college kids play their heart out for their country and the highest honor of gold. It was spectacular. I can still hear my dad cheer the team on from our den as the players scored goals against the stately and notoriously strong Soviet team. Those college boys won gold and gave the U.S. something to hope for during a turbulent economic and political time. I was young in 1980..only 11 but remember it like it was yesterday.
Four years later the games were in Sarajevo. We saw skater Scott Hamelton win gold with an electrifying performance as well as the British Ice Dancing team of Torvil and Dean grab our attention to a gold medal performance that left everyone who watched speechless.
Every four years athletes became super stars, heroes. They became hope as they dominated. They rise to the top of their game and fall to the bottom with nothing to show. The dedication that these athletes give to their sport in none like any. They represent the sprot, their country and themselves to become Olympic Champions. They want nothing more than to bring home the Gold for their country.
Professional athletes are now allowed to participate in the Olympic Games, and those players who make millions in a sport, all have said there is NOTHING like being part of the Olympics. Wining a medal, walking the opening ceremonies and meeting the other athletes. The pros are also just as starstruck by the armatures because of what they do and the dedication they give. Many of the Olympic athletes don't have a career in their sport after the games. They find something else to do. Some are successful in speaking and some just enjoy the small glory given to them at that time, retire from the sport, maybe coach.
I do love the summer games. they are fun to watch, but for some reason it's the winter games that always has my heart. even though I was big swimmer growing up, the winter games offer ME much more. I cant say why... maybe it has to do with the fact that not ONE country dominates the medal race. Top world Olympic athletes could go into their race and lose to someone from some country we have never heard of. Happens all the time. Maybe that the winter games carry so many rivalries and so much history between nations. Maybe it seems a bit more intimate being in the snow and cold weather, seeing everyone all bundled up. Maybe it's the mountains surrounding the village, the backdrop provided, I don't know. But they really are my favorite.
I love learning about the host cities too. All the history and the charm. What the city built and why. The people, the hospitality of the country.. It's peace in its own right. I love the torch relay and so much more. the human interest stories. Matt Lauer on The Today show was part of the torch relay for the Vancouver Games. He said he turned into mush when he got his torch lit. He said it was like nothing else he had ever experienced. It was the ultimate act of true WORLD PEACE.
That may be it. WORLD PEACE in one city for 14-16 days. If anyone gets out of line its the fans, but the athletes themselves have much to teach ALL of us. They work hard and compete with all they have, they win with grace and lose with grace. When else can we say we do that? The Olympic Games display peace and shows the world, that we CAN get along and there is no politics involved running the show. It's just regular people. There is much to be said about ALL of these dedicated people. From the athletes to the coaches, to the parents who sacrificed so much, to the host city to the board members who helped put the games on to the people who sweet the arena's when the fans leave, to the guys that groom the mountain for the skiing to the workers who serve people the food in the Olympic village. How proud each person is who partakes in the games.
It's a great few weeks on t.v. A great few weeks for the world. Having a global spirit and enjoying history being made.
The winter Games.....
I do love the summer games. they are fun to watch, but for some reason it's the winter games that always has my heart. even though I was big swimmer growing up, the winter games offer ME much more. I cant say why... maybe it has to do with the fact that not ONE country dominates the medal race. Top world Olympic athletes could go into their race and lose to someone from some country we have never heard of. Happens all the time. Maybe that the winter games carry so many rivalries and so much history between nations. Maybe it seems a bit more intimate being in the snow and cold weather, seeing everyone all bundled up. Maybe it's the mountains surrounding the village, the backdrop provided, I don't know. But they really are my favorite.
I love learning about the host cities too. All the history and the charm. What the city built and why. The people, the hospitality of the country.. It's peace in its own right. I love the torch relay and so much more. the human interest stories. Matt Lauer on The Today show was part of the torch relay for the Vancouver Games. He said he turned into mush when he got his torch lit. He said it was like nothing else he had ever experienced. It was the ultimate act of true WORLD PEACE.
That may be it. WORLD PEACE in one city for 14-16 days. If anyone gets out of line its the fans, but the athletes themselves have much to teach ALL of us. They work hard and compete with all they have, they win with grace and lose with grace. When else can we say we do that? The Olympic Games display peace and shows the world, that we CAN get along and there is no politics involved running the show. It's just regular people. There is much to be said about ALL of these dedicated people. From the athletes to the coaches, to the parents who sacrificed so much, to the host city to the board members who helped put the games on to the people who sweet the arena's when the fans leave, to the guys that groom the mountain for the skiing to the workers who serve people the food in the Olympic village. How proud each person is who partakes in the games.
It's a great few weeks on t.v. A great few weeks for the world. Having a global spirit and enjoying history being made.
The winter Games.....
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