We are obsessed with the Olympics. We’ve been watching them together since 2008 and try to cram in as much international athletic competition as possible during each cycle. Ben, my brother-in-law, made an interesting observation that for our generation at least, it’s possible that we’re so invested in the Olympics because the Olympics were so close to us in Atlanta when we were just the right age to be impressed upon. I totally agree. It’s easy to trace the Olympic excitement back to the 1996 Atlanta Games (although I do remember my mom letting me stay up late to watch Kristy Yamaguchi win women’s figure skating gold at the 1992 Winter Olympics). It’s fascinating how things as simple as that can impact a person.
Anyway, despite NBC’s best efforts to thwart our online viewing, I think we’ve seen more of the 2012 London Games than any other. I love seeing all the different sports, the different cultures, the athletes’ personal stories, and of course, cheering on all of of the U.S. competitors. My favorite sports to watch are probably gymnastics, swimming, diving, and beach volleyball, but this time I’ve really tried to catch a little bit of everything. Here’s what I’ve seen so far:
Springboard diving- Platform diving
- Synchronized diving
- Swimming (individual races, relays)
- Synchronized swimming
- Water polo (I think this has to be the absolute hardest game to play)
- Sprinting
- Hurdles
- Steeplechase
- Track relays
- Long jump
- High jump
- Pole vault
- Shot put
- Discus
- Decathlon
- Basketball
- Canoeing/Kayaking
- BMX cycling
- Road cycling
- Track cycling (I just don’t get this one – Phillip says it’s the short track speed skating of the summer Olympics, but I like speed skating a lot better than track cycling)
- Equestrian jumping
- Fencing
- Field hockey
- Soccer
- “Normal” gymnastics
- Rhythmic gymnastics
- Handball
- Judo (this was new to me this year – fascinating!)
- Rowing
- Skeet shooting
- Table tennis (ping pong for us amateurs)
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Beach volleyball
- Weightlifting
- Wrestling
And the games aren’t over! I’m still hoping to watch some triple jump, javelin, taekwondo, and hammer throw before finishing up with the Closing Ceremonies. And then I only have to wait two more years before the next Winter Games! I’m definitely with Visa on this one:
GO WORLD
***Update: I can add javelin, hammer throw, taekwondo, and triple jump to my list. Check!
