Ok, so I have become an Olympics junkie! It is the first thing I look for when I get home from work, and it doesn't really matter what the event is.
I have to say that the opening ceremony in Beijing was the most impressive performance I have ever seen. I am also completely amazed by the facilities. My mother had an opportunity to visit China recently, while they were preparing for the games. She was surprised at the lack of progress they had made toward being "Olympic ready"...and now here we are a few months later and it is truly amazing to see and watch.
I was sitting tonight watching men's synchronized diving, who even knew that was a sport, and I got to thinking about how amazing it is that we are watching an Olympic games in China. It just amazes me that we are seeing a country that has been known for centuries for their privacy and secrecy has opened their country to the world and are letting us all stomp around on their land and judge them more openly that usual. I would like to say that I believe that the experience of hosting the Olympics will really make a difference in the Chinese approach to the world, but I guess you can call me a cynic, because unfortunately I think once the world games are over things are likely to return to normal. But that is enough of the politics...no matter what happens I love the Olympics.
It is the only time that you can see three US young women sweep the medal count in fencing, watch two people dive off a platform in nearly perfect harmony, watch male gymnast stop their entire weight with just their biceps, and most excitedly watch the women of the US gymnastic team fight injury and misfortune to move forward in the series towards the gold!
Yeah for the Olympics and Go USA!
