Stray thoughts about the Olympics

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I don’t watch sports much on TV, but there is something about the Olympics that draws me! Here are a few thoughts from this year’s events so far.

  • My favorite part of the opening ceremonies was the Chariots of Fire segment. 🙂 The queen jumping out of the plane was a close second. I thought the giant blow-up villains and giant baby were pretty weird. The forged rings were pretty neat. The opening segment seemed too busy to me — too much going on and too small, then too much time spent dragging the plant stuff off the floor.
  • While the coverage has been on I’ve been using my iPhone, scrolling through Facebook or Google Reader, or one night clipping coupons and cleaning out my coupon file, so I’m doing something but I can stop and pay attention when I want to. I have a couple of stitching projects I want to get started on while watching.
  • It’s been nice to Tivo the evening coverage and start watching it about an hour into it so I can fast-forward through the parts I’m not so interested in.
  • The swimming races begin to look alike after a while. I fast-forwarded through one relay race that didn’t have anyone in it I was interested in, and it was kinda fun to watch it that way. 😀
  • I’m so glad Michael Phelps did make history by winning 19 medals total so far. It’d be nice to have at least one more and make it an even 20. 🙂
  • I don’t like the way reporters and commentators overly laud winners or have an almost scolding tone when athletes make mistakes, like you’re great and wonderful and worthy of adulation when you win and lower than dirt if you lose. I read one headline saying someone had received a “stunning loss” by winning a silver medal. That’s not what I would call a stunning loss even if one was expecting gold!
  • I can’t imagine having to do anything publicly with all those cameras and people. I think it’s perfectly understandable when people “mess up” under that kind of pressure and all the more amazing when they overcome all of that and excel.
  • I feel almost worse for the moms in the stands watching. The ones I’ve seen are visible bundles of nerves while their athlete offspring seem calm and cool at least outwardly.
  • I was watching one male gymnast an almost hoping he would mess up so our guys could advance, and then thought, no, I don’t want to think like that. I want them all to do well — I just want ours to do better. 🙂
  • I’m glad it was cool enough over there that the beach volleyball players had to cover up their bikinis with long sleeved shirts and pants while playing this year.
  • Seriously, what is up with bikinis being uniforms for beach volleyball or women divers’ uniforms having half their bottoms hanging out? That is so not necessary.

I’ve finished a couple of books I want to talk about and have some “deep thoughts” swirling about a topic or two, but will have to wait to get to them as I only have time for a quick post today. I might get to one of the books later today if the tasks for the day go well, but it will more likely be next week before I get to them.

Are you watching the Olympics? What’s your favorite event? Mine is gymnastics, followed by swimming.

4 thoughts on “Stray thoughts about the Olympics”

  1. Fun to read your impressions! I love watching sport, even though we can only get it on Euronews in German (which, sadly, I don’t speak). I agree wholly with your opinion on a silver medal not being such a bad result! Really! Second in the WORLD!!

    I had to chuckle about your comment on the mothers. Our own son performs with his classical guitar. I remember one time I thought I would DIE when he walked out there, in front of 400 people, and played a solo. He was a new guitar player, and I knew how important it would be for him to do well. He walked out like an old pro and played almost faultlessly–while I almost fainted! It’s rough being a mom! :o) You’re so right; the Olympic moms are in tears. I totally understand their emotion.

    Thanks for pointing out the modesty problem. Nakedness isn’t necessary, and it doesn’t please God. There’s no reason for this state of undress except for television ratings. No reason why they can’t cover what should remain private. I’m embarrassed for them.

    Thanks for sharing!

  3. I AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY about the beach volleyball! So much nicer to watch this time!!1

  4. Oh, yes, loved the Chariots of Fire scenerio, so funny – good to see ‘Mr Bean’ again! Most of your points made me laugh in agreement. I figure if the athlete made it to the Olympics, they are still better than the millions of us watching, and second place is just icing on the cake, nothing wrong with icing :-). Ah, the beach volleyball, yes I was quite glad to have them in full body suits. Decreased the awkwardness of watching it with the kids, or having to turn it off for fear of uniform malfunction, just kidding, sort of. Twice now, I’ve caught a headline that spoiled the suspense – ugh! Alas, I still LOVE watching the Olympics and really enjoy gymnastics, swimming, diving, and track and field. Isn’t it amazing what some individuals can do?

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