Last night I was all giddy while watching the Olympic ‘Parade of Nations’ ceremony. I love seeing these athletes from small or previously unheard of countries march filled patriotic pride. I find that it is amazing how they are so thrilled to just be participating in the games knowing that they may not be competing for longer than a minute or two and then have to go home. (I was also amazed at the number of world leaders present for the opening ceremony, a terrosist’s dream I would bet.)
I find myself trying to pick out the nations or athletes that I would root for to medal or at least make a serious push towards medaling. I have always loved the amazing underdog stories that every once in awhile will come out of the Games where an athlete from the country of “no-one-can-pick-you-out-on-a-map” who began playing their sport only a few years ago exceeds expectations and makes a serious ripple in the sporting waters. I love rooting for the young 14-15 year old kids and their enthusiasm and genuine belief that they can win as well as the older, should-be-retied athletes who are way past their prime that generally have no chance to win but manage to pull off a sports mirace of sorts, willing themselves for just one more moment of greatness. Watching the elation on their faces, the pride and tears in their eyes as they see their country’s flag raised just really gets to my heart and soul.
I have gotten really excited over the past 24 hours knowing that I would have half a dozen channels devoted solely to Olympic coverage that would make watching these feel good stories easier to follow. Sure I have pride in my own country and want us to win every single gold, silver and bronze that are available but I want to see more than the USA. I find myself watching a new sport for me as I write this: women’s team handball featuring Angola and France in a preliminary match. Normally I would be spending my Saturday watching a more mainstream American sporting event, such as baseball or NASCAR, but I find obtaining a sports education like this is fun and beneficial to me in order to widen the scope of my sports, political and geographical knowledge.
I just wish that one Olympics in the near future could feature our most popular game, American Football. That would be a best of both worlds type of scenario.
I’m now going to go watch some women’s rowing, badminton and shooting events with some of my favorite countries: Aruba, East Timor and Liechtenstein while waiving my little American flag. The spirit of the Games is alive and well in me and my little southern middle Tennessee town…how about you?
