Olympic Dreams

I love the Olympics. This love has developed since childhood. I remember being little and watching gymnastics during the Summer Olympics, and Figure Skating during the Winter Olympics. I cherry picked the popular events really up until the 2006 Winter Olympics. In '06 I watched as much as I could given that I worked a normal 40 hour week. I truly became a complete devotee though during the 2008 Summer Games. I was working from home at that time, and doing so allowed me to see almost every competition. I saw events that I never knew existed, and enjoyed every one of them.

Now the Winter Olympics have begun and I am so excited that I have actually been recording the 4 hour segments that NBC shows during the day and in prime time. Practically this allows me to skip commercials and cut down the amount of time needed to actually see the events. Honestly, I am doing it so I can re-watch those amazing moments that inevitably happen during the games. Underdogs defying expectations to take a medal, fallen champions searching for redemption and finding it, the older athlete whose continued competitiveness is questioned and wins anyway- all these stories captivate me.

I love seeing people succeed. I love when the unexpected happens and changes some one's life - and I get to witness it. Ask Eli, I am a sucker for anything where someone is surprised or rewarded. When someone beats the odds I get a rush. What it comes down to is I want to see peoples' dreams fulfilled. It makes me feel like we all have a chance to make our dreams come true. These athletes work harder in the short span of their sports careers than many of us can imagine. They sacrifice so much, and 98% do so with no recognition, no glory, no endorsements and no medals. As one of the commentators said during the opening ceremonies, for most athletes competing in the Olympics, the Opening Ceremony is their podium. The only recognition on the global stage they will receive. And still they compete and strive to be the best they can be. I LOVE that.

So I will be watching every event. The men's and women's biathlon has been one of our new discoveries. They have to cross-country ski (which is mostly uphill fyi) and then shoot 5 targets the size of a silver dollar from 50 meters away. In the longer distances of the event they have to ski, shoot, then ski and shoot again. At first the event seemed strange and archaic, but ultimately Eli and I were just amazed at athleticism and skill it takes to compete. I am sure we will be introduced to many other events we weren't aware of, and we will enjoy every one.