Okay, I admit it… I thought I was ready for the Olympics,
but at about night three it became very apparent that I was in no shape for the
Games of the XXIX Olympiad. I’m exhausted and we’re just finishing the first
week of the games.
As you may have guessed… I’m a huge fan of the Olympics. I
joke that once every four years I don’t sleep for two weeks. And while that may
be a bit of exaggeration, my sleeping habits are certainly impacted by the
games.
My obsession with the Olympics isn’t just that I’m a sports
junkie - although that is certainly a major contributor to my addiction. I’m
sure this sounds corny and scripted, but it really is the “spirit of the games”
that captivates me. The athletes at the Games are here for the love of their
sport. And in today’s era of millionaire athletes, sponsorships and
endorsements – I think this is something that we in the U.S. have lost
sight of.
Other than celebrations of pure joy have you seen any of the
grand standing or show boating that we think is synonymous with sports? Take
Michael Phelps for example - who by all accounts is the face of these Olympics.
He doesn’t celebrate each preliminary victory as if he’s won the gold medal and
after he does win a gold medal (and sets a world record doing it) you don’t see
him getting out the pool to put on a show, or pull some prop out from under his
starting block. However, watch some of our professional athletes and the
celebrations they create after something as ordinary as catching a pass for a
first down you’d think they won the gold medal themselves.
Don’t get me wrong – I’m not singling out Football players –
I love football and played it from the time I was 7 all the way through high
school. But whatever happen to just going out and doing your job and doing it
well? Let your play speak for you.
This is what the athletes in the Olympics do every day.
Whether they come in first or last they’re there representing their sport and
their country and in what I’ve seen so far – they’re ALL doing it well.
If you’re anything like me and you can’t get enough of the
Games, go to www.nbcolympics.com. They
have live and recorded video of all the events. And I encourage you to watch
some of the sports you may not be familiar with – maybe you or your children will
give one a try some day. Personally I recommend Judo, but that’s just me…
Jason - Olympic Junkie
