Sorry I haven’t posted this week but I have been in love with watching the Olympics in Rio. I have been in love with the Olympics since I was a little girl- both summer and winter. I used to beg my parents to get cable TV just so we could watch the Olympics every 4 years. There is something about the sacrifice and intensity that inspires me and is like nothing else. Every other competition they have another shot but this is 4 years in the making, which is unbelievable.
This Olympics in Rio we have been able to see not just the best win a gold medal but we’ve seen some of the best gold winners ever. I mean what Michael Phelps has done is awe inspiring. He was already a hero to most Americans but to see him mount a comeback of all things ups the ante even more. His life was off track, he figured things out and then he’s back on top. How inspiring is that? 22 gold medals. I can’t even put my mind around that. Just wow!
And then over in gymnastics it has been awe inspiring. Dubbed the Final Five, the ladies not only one the team gold but did it with positivity and team spirit that really impressed me. Simone Biles is so great the other gymnasts are asking her for autographs and shaking her hand. Tonight her and Aly Raisman went gold and silver in the all around and what an amazing achievement. It’s like the judges had to go searching for deductions they were so good. The crazy thing is if the stupid 2 per country rules wasn’t there than we would have probably swept the podium. It’s just been tremendous to watch.
The last amazing story I’ve enjoyed watching (along with a million other ones) is Kerri Walsh Jennings over in beach volleyball. The 3 time gold medalist and mother of 2 is looking for gold 4 and whether she ends up with it or not it’s been incredible to watch her play. She has never lost a game in Olympic play and I think only lost 2 sets! That’s just mind blowing. I love the fact that she has used it to help her be a better mother not a distraction. She says she’s good at “having babies and playing volleyball”. Ha! She’s also so gutsy when she had some injuries on her shoulder I believe and yet she keeps going strong. She’s just fearless. She’s at these games with a new partner but seems to be doing well with her as well. It’s nothing short of impressive.
What athletes and stories have stuck out in your mind? There are so many so please share in the comments section.
And by the way USA is totally rocking it in the medals count!!! Wahoo!
Rachel's Musings 
Absolutely loving these Olympics and watching as much as I can, though the time zone isn’t convenient for the later events.
There have been some disappointments for Team GB – a lot of fourth-place finishes – but I’m pleased with how we’ve done so far. I especially love it when we win an unexpected medal, like the gold in the synchronised 3 metres springboard. The synchronised 10 metres was another good one: it was a very tense finish, and it was great to see Tom Daley and Dan Goodfellow’s reactions when they realised they’d gotten the bronze. Last night’s men’s team sprint in the velodrome was short but still a thriller.
I loved watching that diving as well. I’m amazed the judges can see all that when it’s so fast. I heard about that cycling but need to watch it. I agree the unexpected medals are really fun. I watched an American win a bronze medal in one of the equestrian events and to see his expression was amazing
Just as I was reading your reply, Team GB just won a silver medal in trampolining for another perfect example! Bryony Page (the trampolinist) was in tears.
Nice! I love those weird sports that nobody ever even thought of