Are you enjoying the Olympics this year?

Photo: Eric Salard

For some reason, I’m watching a lot of the Olympic Games this year. Maybe it’s because the world is in such turmoil and the sports contests are short then three winners are celebrated. It’s not like wars, natural disasters, climate change, or other world calamities.

Also, it’s easy for me to watch the Olympics because I haven’t “cut the cord” yet. I still have cable TV. I read one person complain on Facebook that it was hard to watch the Olympics. I assume she was checking various streaming services for the events.

The NBC coverage repeats in the evenings. Then, I often switch to CBC. It’s interesting to watch the coverage from the Canadian perspective.

I happened to be watching the men's 4x100m relay race on CBC. The American team flubbed the baton transfer and the Canadians unexpected won the gold medal. There was lots of joy and celebrating.

I also like the Olympics because it’s inspiring to hear the stories about the athletes, most of them young, from different countries. Many overcome great obstacles to develop their sports careers and get to this highest level.

There’s been so much excitement for U.S. teams: gymnastic, women’s soccer, track and field, swimming, women’s volleyball, and more.

I’m grateful woman have the opportunity now to compete. When I was growing up, girls were restricted to GAA, Girls Athletic Association, at noon. When we played basketball, the rules were you could dribble twice, than you had to pass the ball. Women didn’t have the stamina to run up and down the court, people thought at the time. The middle and high school teams were only for boys.

So, watch the Olympics if it gives you joy. I always advise getting joy when you can.

Right now the U.S. men’s team is playing France in the gold medal basketball game. The score is 77 to 68 with the U.S. ahead. I watched a game where the U.S. had to come from behind with a 17 point deficit to defeat Serbia to win the basketball game. It looks like it will be another gold medal for the USA.

We’ll see Sunday who wins the medal count. The U.S. has led most of the time for the total medal count, with jockeying for the number of the most gold medals with China.

Update: The U.S. defeated France 98-87 in the gold medal match in basketball.

Comments

[Carol Cassara]

Yep. We are all about the joy!

[Rita]

There was much excitement and many great moments.

[Beth Havey]

Great post. I actually cried yesterday during the closing ceremonies. WHY? Because our young athletes are the future and I hope for them a world that is NOT torn apart my war, greed and prejudice. So wonderful to see different people hugging and working together. The Olympics is a jewel in the world crown.

[Rita]

Yes, I was inspired by the Olympics, too. A positive event to enjoy amid the world's many turmoils.

[Laurie Stone]

I've loved watching the Olympics. As you said, this world is so chaotic, to see the people on this planet work together in harmony is joyous. So glad they made it every two years instead of every four. We need this beautiful event as a reminder more than ever.

[Rita]

Now, back to the headlines as a possible expanded war looms in the Middle East.