Glued to The Olympics!
Watching the Summer Olympics every four years has always been one of my favorite things to do! I don’t watch a lot of television, but this I watch. I typically watch sports like swimming, and gymnastics. This year I watched the opening ceremonies, and made a new plan for viewing. There was something about the Parade of Nations that sparked me in ways never before experienced.
Each of these athletes, experts in their sports is worth the time to watch! They have worked so hard to get to Rio. They have competed, had triumphs and defeats, and kept going in spite of all odds both for and against them. Always before I would mute the channel’s volume for sports I wasn’t interested in, and simply hang out and read. Not this year! I am learning to appreciate sports I haven’t bothered with before. I am cheering on my own country of course, I want the U.S.’s athletes to reach their dreams, but, I am rooting on athletes from other countries too.
All of the athletes have worked hard, not just ours, and if they do their best, and win fair and square, well good for them! One of the things I love about the Parade of Nations is that I remember its not just about America, its about the world at large. We live with one another all across the globe. We can have great relationships with people on the other side of the world, we can get excited about other’s successes, and sad at their defeats, and build relationships!
I am loving learning new words! My word for today? Peloton!That is the main group of cyclists in a race. Wow, I am watching the women cyclists this morning, and seeing that huge group, and stand amazed that, though they are competing against one another, they are cycling together in that group and are so tightly packed and not having accidents all over the place. I have never watched cycling before watching the men first and now that ladies.
When I watched the men road cycle, I didn’t come in at the start. I missed them leaving the gate. I came in as they had about 69 km to go. Imagine my shock when I saw spectators running alongside the cyclists and shouting at them and getting right up in their face! How on earth can those riders stay calm during that? I mentioned this to my son, who watched the Tour De France, and he said this is normal, but that riders have been known to punch the runners to get them away from them. Honestly? I don’t advocate violence, but for Pete's sake! I would punch them too! I cannot believe I have missed the enjoyment of that sport all these years. I assumed it would be boring so never bothered. I think I just turned into a cyclist enthusiast!
I watched Greg Van Avermaet from Belgium win for the men. He hadn’t even been in the front three, but in the chasing group! I was so sad to see the accident that took two of the top contenders out of the race. It reminded me that unexpected things can happen and completely change the outcome of an event!
During Beach Volleyball last night, I watched Kerri Walsh Jennings and April Ross shut out their competition and stand amazed that this team, which is pretty new, worked so well together. I understand now why Kerri Walsh Jennings is considered an expert in blocking! So, I am glued to my television for a while watching the Olympics! I am rooting for them all! They have worked so hard to get there. I want to honor their hard work as much as I can by spreading my viewing love around to sports I have never really watched before along with my favorites! I hope you all are enjoying the spectating from a distance too!
