I was not going to write a post about the Olympics, because there are some things that I love, but to which I have no commentary to add, and the Olympics is one of those things.
I thought maybe I wouldn’t get too involved this year. Though I love both, I prefer the Summer Olympics, because swimming is my favorite Olympic sport (I have no idea why). I finally have cable this year, but I’m so rarely at home that I won’t be able to see much. I didn’t even watch the opening ceremony (though I feel like I did, since it was covered thoroughly on twitter).
But, then, I started watching last night and there was just no holding back my love. Apolo Ohno was, of course, amazing. I remember the Apolo craziness that started in Salt Lake City and was particularly feverish in Washington, because he is from the Seattle area. Speaking of which, it’s oddly frustrating to me that the Olympics are finally so close to where I’m from and I’m not there. I’m pretty sure this is the first time in the years I’ve been alive that the Olympics have been held in a city I’ve actually visited.
I am capable of getting into nearly any Olympic sport, especially individual events. Last night it was mogul skiing that got to me. How kick ass were those women? I was amazed at their skill and athletic ability. The sport itself, like so many others, seems a little ridiculous when you step back. I mean, ski through these moguls, stop a couple times to do tricks in the air, and try to do it all as fast as possible. Okay, sure.
The only troubling thing is that the Olympics stress me out like crazy. I’m stupidly sensitive and watching other people stress makes me stress. There’s something so crazy about knowing you’re watching the biggest moment in someone’s life. You just want the best for them. Maybe that’s why I love the Olympics so much.
I’m as patriotic as anyone, but when I watch the Olympics, I root for all kinds of people. Well, anyone whose story NBC features, so often I’m rooting for Americans, but not exclusively. Here in the US, we are accustomed to thinking of ourselves as the center of the universe. And maybe the weird thing about rarely being the underdog is that winning or losing an event doesn’t seem like such a big deal. There will be others. This year I am particularly rooting for the Canadians, of course. It’s special when the Olympics are in your country.
I know not everyone loves the Olympics, though the enjoyment I get out of even Curling makes me not understand why. I like watching people do the things they love really well. While it sometimes makes me curse my parents for not forcing me into speed skating (um, hello, I could have trained with Apolo!), it mostly motivates me to do the things I love to do really well.
I have plans to attend the London Games in 2012, which gives me two and a half years to get out of debt and save a bunch of money. Isn’t London the most expensive city in the world? I should start looking for sponsorship.
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
I have always loved the Olympics! I also like the summer games a little more, but I get into the winter games quite a bit, too. (swimming is my favorite, too! but I swam competitively my whole life so that’s probably why…) Anyway, Seattle is pretty hopping right now since most lodging sold out within minutes of the announcement that Vancouver would be this year’s host. It’s pretty fun to see people get into the Olympic spirit, especially since they’re so close to us right now.
Oddly enough, this is the first year that I DON’T have television access to the games at home! I feel sort of out of touch, but my gym has several TVs and they’re pretty much all showing Olympic coverage, so it’s more motivation for me to work out :-)
I would totally DIE to go to London in 2012. My dream would be to go to France in July and watch Le Tour de France (been watching for 25 years…) and then head up to London for the Olympics. But yeah…CRAZY expensive!!!
I haven’t taken the time to comment in a while, but I’m still reading! I love the Olympics, especially the summer olympics!
Watching the Olympics being hosted not only in my country but in MY province, gives me goosebumps every day. I am just so so so so proud of Canada and British Columbia right now.
It’s only 4 hours south of me and I’m not even sure if I’ll make it down to watch them! I’m going to try though. Watching those athletes is amazing. The amount of hard work and dedication it takes for them to get there is amazing.
I think being a Canadian, where it’s winter all the time (even though ironically when we finally get to host the winter Olympics we have a warm spell) I’m definitely more invested in the Winter Olympics!!
I love the Olympics too! Moreso, the summer, but I’m enjoying winter as well. I know what you mean about feeling stressed for other people who are stressed. I do the same thing!
I’m glad I’m not the only one excited about the Winter Olympics; they aren’t really a huge thing here, at least compared to the Summer Games. Thankfully we get to see everything on the BBC, but the time difference means a lot of it will be on really late. Still I’m looking forward to it; I like watching most of the sports. I’m with you on the moguls; it’s a great event. And I think it’s cute how you get really nervous for the athletes.
London will be expensive in 2012; I’m not sure yet what the best way to go about it will be. When I went to Moscow it was supposed to be the most expensive city in the world, and some places lived up to that, but we soon figured out how to do things on the cheap. So I think London will be managable.
I didn’t know Ohno was from the Seattle area. I like him a lot, if only for the fact that he’s one of the winter Olympians I know.
I think it’s really neat how the Olympics draw in all kinds of people, even people who aren’t “big” sports fans. That’s what makes it more fun, in some ways. I’m going to try my best to watch as much as I can. I’m really interested to see what happens in hockey, and I always feel a bit conflicted. I want the USA to win the gold, but so many Canadians play in the NHL for our teams so it’s tough to not root for them too! But I hope you do make it happen and go to London for 2012– that would be awesome!
I enjoyed this sports-related post, now if you can do one about the Seahawks or Huskies or how mad you are about the Sonics moving (something Bill Simmons frequently writes about) then you’d really be speaking my language, haha.
I prefer the summer Olympics to be honest (and the Commonwealth Games, which I THINK will be this year – they’re my Olympic substitute even though only the Commonwealth countries take part in that – but I like the fact that Scotland competes on its own rather than part of the UK).
I know what you mean about occasionally rooting for the underdog. Back in I think 2000, an African county had three entrants in the games – they were woefully undertrained and did so utterly badly in the races they competed in – but you just WANTED them to win so badly. I actually tear up just thinking about it.
I had to go look it up there – Equitorial Guinea it was. http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/1807.asp
The company I work for is the communications sponsor of the 2012 Olympics in London! I used to always watch the Olympics devotedly, and I loved it. Now, it seems life gets in the way a little more, but if I happen to channel-surf by it, I’m transfixed… for hours! :-) You’re right; I think the allure is watching people who are genuinely doing what they love.
I love the Olympics too (summer more than winter also). There is a lot of criticism at how expensive they are, but honestly? I think that any event that causes the world to stop and watch and cheer is WORTH it.
I love, love, love the Olympics. I get so involved in all the sports and so attached to all of the athletes. It’s so nerve-wracking to watch them, though! I closed my eyes for most of Ohno’s races yesterday.
I LOVE the Olympics. A lot. I get ridiculously excited for both the winter and summer ones. I become emotionally invested in watching (not just prime time but the later coverage as well which basically means I function on 4 hours of sleep). While I do enjoy the competition themselves, I love the stories of the athletes — the trials, the journey, all the hard work. It gives me goosebumps to watch any country accept the gold and hear their anthem played. (I may or may not even shed a tear.) I mean, can you imagine being able to say that for that moment you were the best in the world? I just love everything the Olympics represents.
I feel like I could have written this post! I do love the Olympics though I usually enjoy watching the summer Olympics more. I’m with you on the swimming. (I used to be on a swim team as a child, but I wasn’t any good.) But this year I’m really into the winter Olympics. I’m watching ice skating right now! (It’s my fave.) I also saw the women’s mogul skiing, too. so exciting! though I agree, many of the sports, when you think about them, seem a little ridiculous. I find myself asking, “who in the heck came up with this anyway?” haha. and like you, I root for everyone, not just the U.S. I get sucked into the stories, the dreams, the passion. I want everyone to do well! And I have rooted a bit louder for the Canadians too. I hope they get their gold.
I love the olympics too! Apolo Ohno was amazing
Just watching him effortless pass from the back to way ahead of the pack was awesome.
I loved watching the women’s mogul skiing too! I wish I could ski like that
Lol, I hear ya. I was all “what olympics? Sasha Cohen didn’t make it, forget the whole thing”. And then all the twitter talk got me intrigued enough to turn on the tv… and I didn’t BREATHE the entire time Apolo Ohno was skating. My goodness.
Yes, London is expensive, but it is most definitely do-able. Especially if you use couchsurfing.org :) It’s one of my FAVORITE cities EVER!
I know what you mean about getting stressed over the Olympics. I was, of course, watching Speed Skating as well (including the long distance), and I felt like I was gonna PULL MY HAIR OUT watching all of it!! I’ve always been a fan of ice skating, and whenever they fall, I don’t laugh; instead, I feel that pain!
So it’s a go then w/ you, me and Brad right?