The Winter Olympics have started! Did you see the opening ceremony was last night?
I always look forward to the Olympics, the athletes, the games!
I love all the pomp and circumstance.
I love the music that is… and has been …a prelude to the beginning of the games each day and evening during the 18 days of sporting games.
Of course, you know that I am a sports fan, so it should come as no surprise that I enjoy the competitive games that come about, …once every four years. So I do like it all!
The parade of Nations…both at the opening ceremonies and the closing ceremonies …the joy and happiness on the athletes’ faces as they wave flags of their respective countries as they enter the stadium.
I get emotional when I see the athletes standing on podiums, listening to the National Anthem representing the winner of the gold medal … and seeing all three flags slowly being raised… showing the flag of the Gold, Silver and Bronze medalists.
Special moments from past Olympics remain embedded in my brain…from Summer and Winter Olympics!
Moments such as Mary Lou Retton winning gold in gymnastics.
Or Keri Scruggs performing her vault with an injured ankle (for a gold medal) and her coach carrying her off the platform.
Dorothy Hamill with her much copied hair style, winning gold in figure skating.
Apolo Anton Ohno, speed skater and winner of a record number of medals.
And who could forget the U.S Hockey team winning Gold in 1980 against the Russians?
Heart warming stories of perseverance among obstacles of enduring pain and deprivation from families, sacrificing all to represent their country in the Olympics.
I sit on the edge of my seat and hold my breath as I watch skating routines or downhill skiing that will determine close winners.
Yes, I sometimes have tears in my eyes….and a lump in my throat!
I rejoice when the athletes rejoice and I feel sad when the Olympics end for an athlete in just seconds….due to either a bad performance or an injury. All the years of training down the tubes or a vindication for another time and place.
So many memories connected with the Olympics....the thrill of victory…the agony of defeat.
I will be watching….
Do you like watching the Olympics?
Me
I do too, Sandy…I root for all of them!:)
Me
I didn’t watch last night, Kari, but I’m always on pins and needles for the entrants, too. I know how much hard work they put into their sport. I want them all to win.