Whenever the Olympics are on, whether they be summer or winter, I spend a lot of time in front of the TV and, with the DVR, fill up most of my recording space. :-) It's a chance to see sports you rarely get to see. You can watch little known competitors from small countries make their country proud. Watch underdogs come from behind to steal the gold from the favorites. See those who are happy to just represent their country, knowing full well they will never medal. They play for love of the sport, love of their country. Every time the Olympics are on, I find myself wishing I had a chance to be in one. Long (LONG!) shot, I know. I don't even know what sport I'd choose. While Indiana has little to no opportunities for it, I do find the Winter Olympics to be one of my favorites (although can anyone say swimming and Michael Phelps and the super close relay race he was in!??!!) Skiing and snowboarding probably top my list. I've always wanted the opportunity to ski and never got it while growing up. My first trip to Michigan I had a blast and want to go back again. So it's pretty safe to say that I'll never be in an Olympics. I think there's also the desire to be considered great in something, to be the best. Not necessarily "gold" great, just great enough to represent. I know I'm good in things but I would never consider myself great in anything. It's also about competing and pushing yourself to your limits and the thrill in knowing you gave it all you got. So, for now, I'll be content to watch these athletes compete and share in their delight in winning and despair when they come up just short of a medal. It's not all "Team USA" as I find myself cheering for other countries as well. As I write this, a Canadian just won back to back golds in moguls and I was cheering for him all the way. All politics aside, they are a way for a world to unite and share a common interest for a two week period.
