I’m loving the Olympics, other than the late night broadcasts. I am having a harder and harder time making it to the very end….and its my favorite part of the Games! Michael Phelps accomplishments continue to standout to me. Say what you want about his personality or lack there of, his tenacity, resiliency and pure dedication cannot be questioned. Olympic level swimming is very demanding; the number of hours you spend looking at the bottom of the pool, breathing chlorine infested air is unfathomable to most people. To be able to do that year in and year out for almost 20 years is incredible to me.
So many other glorious moments: The men’s 10k was super exciting and no, that is not an oxymoron. Even my non-running friends (yes I do have a few), were transfixed. To have a British gold medalist and to watch American Galen Rupp run down the Africans was thrilling.
And of course the American ladies have been awesome! Gymnastics, beach volleyball, water polo, soccer, fencing, boxing….unbelievable. If there is anybody left wondering whether Title IX makes a difference, they are not watching. Now if our friends at the USOC can figure out a way to keep Title IX intact and still maintain the collegiate men’s Olympic sports….
I’m not sure if I have a favorite moment, but if I had to pick one now, it might be Manteo Mitchell’s relay leg in the 4×400. During the middle of his 400, his fibula broke. Most mortals would stop and be writhing on the ground in pain, but he completed his leg on a broken one….and then fell to the ground in pain. Our men’s team might be a little beaten and battered but they will not be defeated, even by a broken leg. Just think about what you said the last time you got a paper cut…