Although our family enjoys watching ALL of the events of the Olympics... we all have our favorite sport/event we like to watch. For the Summer Olympics my husband likes beach volleyball, and track and field the best, but also likes the swimming and diving... our daughters and I like to watch gymnastics, swimming, diving, synchronized swimming/diving as our favorites. For the Winter Olympics my husband enjoys the skiing events the best, while our daughters and I like the skating events the best.
Watching and cheering the USA attempt to win medals... particularly the GOLD of course... can be a breath taking experience. At times I literally find myself holding my breath to see if the USA competitors accomplish a win in their events... especially when the competitions are soooo closely matched, and the finishes are soooo closely contested.
Watching Michael Phelps obtain the unbelievable feat of winning the most Olympic medals of anyone in the whole wide world has been a wonderful experience. I LOVE watching history being made as it is being made. But that he is a USA Olympian is of course the BEST!!!
As I continue to watch and enjoy all of the Olympians from all over the world compete, I will cheer the longest and loudest for USA... but you just can't help getting caught up in the 'underdog' stories and wins... no matter what country they represent. In fact I enjoy the 'how they got there' stories from all Olympians, from all over the world. It takes sooo much training, devotion, commitment, determination, and sacrifice to make it to the Olympics... how could you not get caught up in their personal stories! I'm proud of all who 'give it their all' to accomplish the physical feats they put their bodies through to jump higher, run faster, or whatever the event requires their bodies to do. Watching these athletes bodies do what they do, watching their defined muscles.... WOWZERS, WOWZERS, WOWZERS!!!
I love the tears of accomplishment, the looks of pride of achievement as they represent their countries, and stand on the podiums to accept their medals... and I personally think that a medal is a medal... GOLD is the most precious... but... to win a medal amongst the greatest athletes of the world, to me is something to be proud of forever! I understand the tears of defeat as much as I understand the tears of joy for winning... I'm also proud of those who have given it their all, and just didn't quite make it to the medal podium... but still... are a gracious loser, knowing they did indeed do their best. Having said that... I have little pride for those who win ungraciously, as well as those who lose ungraciously. You can be proud of your accomplishment and still maintain graciousness. I'm just not a fan of cockiness period... and there IS a HUGE difference between confidence and cockiness.
Gabby Douglas was my girl from the start of the Olympic trials to not only make the USA team, but to win GOLD for USA... I'm sooo very proud for her for what she did, as well as for how she did it, and how she has handled herself since her win... YOU GO GIRL!!!!!
Now... back to watching the Olympics... GO USA!!!!!!
