As I sit and watch the marathon, I have come to the unfortunate realization that my 16 days of obsession is about to become 542 days of anticipation. The Olympics are coming to a close today, and with that the waiting game begins until sport once again permeates through world culture like it only can during the Olympics. When you revolve your life around these things like this as I do (man, hope that doesn't sound too pathetic), the feeling of disappointment that the Closing Ceremonies bring is not necessarily one that comes from the individual games being over, but rather that the positive feelings and emotions that the Olympics provide will not be felt for an extended period of time. The Olympics brings countries together, allowing us to root under out flags in events that do not harm us, but instead uplift us. More than that, the Olympics unify us as one world and one people. I know that sounds corny, but it really is true. VISA doesn't totally have it wrong with their, "Go World" slogan. My brother Sam could care less about sports, and with the possible exception of fantasy golf (Best Ball!), doesn't actively pay attention to anything in the sports world. I normally have a hard time sitting in a room with him while I'm watching sports because I can never understand why he stares at his computer with his headphones in, instead of watching. Sports enthrall me to such a level that his complete lack of interest baffles me. During the last two weeks however, he looks up a lot more at the TV screen. He probably has no idea that I noticed his small peeks and he probably doesn't even remember them, but I guarantee he wouldn't be looking if it was an Orioles game. He could probably have a decent conversation with someone in Belgium about the Olympics. The fact is that everybody is in tune with the Olympics, which makes them in tune with sports. Say you love collecting coins, and for two weeks everybody was jacked up about coins. They talked to you about the coins, stayed interested when you described the different types of coins, and even bought and collected coins of their own. When everybody is interested in the thing you love, its the greatest feeling in the world. That's what the Olympics are for me, a two week love affair with sports where I'm not the only one participating for once. When it ends, I'll go back to a world where no one really cares about talking gymnastics, track or anything else. I can wait though, the feelings I get for those two weeks are more than worth it.
Day 13-15 Review
- "Greatness has been found" was the slogan emblazoned on the USA Women's Soccer team's custom Nike shirts worn after their 2-1 victory over Japan on Thursday. Believe me, the greatness was always there. They're not always the most technically sound, well organized or even the best team on the field on a given day. Japan might have been the better team Thursday. The problem for the World Champions was that the US wasn't going to be denied. I'm pretty sure they would have run hard for 90 hours if it meant reclaiming the throne they believed they deserved after last year's World Cup final. While they were shaky at times, two great Carli Lloyd goals combined with some Hope Solo heroics saw them through. Shoutout to US Coach Pia Sundhage who is three for three making major tournament finals in her tenure. She was a penalty shootout from winning all three. Pretty impressive
- If it wasn't widely apparent four years ago, the USA/Jamaica sprint rivalry is going nowhere. Jamaica, led by Usain Bolt, dominated the men's sprints, winning six out of a potential seven medals they could have won in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay. The women's sprints were more even, with the US taking the 200m and 4x100 titles and Jamaica winning the 100m. While Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake give Jamaica the clear upper hand in the men's events for the foreseeable future, the US women may have surpassed the Jamaican women this Olympics. Should be a fun story line to follow leading up to Rio.
- By the way, how arrogant is Usain Bolt? Keep in mind, I love the guy. I wrote a glowing post about him the other day and the story about him stopping an interview out of respect to the US national anthem shows his good character. However, declaring yourself a legend? Using press conferences to take down past greats? I mean, I love candor as much as the next guy (I understand the motivation for the Carl Lewis comments), but can you imagine if he was American? Just something to think about.
- Props to Allyson Felix, who reversed two Olympics of individual heartbreak to win three gold medals, including her first solo gold in the 200m. Quietly, Felix is building a resume that will put her among the greatest American track athletes of all time, male or female. At 26, she already has six Olympic medals and ten World Championship medals. Felix is world class in three events (100m, 200m, 400m) and she will most likely compete in four years at Rio, where she could add to her medal haul. That AP Women's Athlete of the Year award? That should be Felix's too. She deserves it.
- The USA Volleyball game vs Brazil was tough to watch. After a dominating first set, I really thought the US was going to take it. Well, I'm still sort of pissed about it. Before I insult Brazil, lets move on! I mean its not like their potential inability to securely host the two biggest sporting event in the world is a big issue or anything. I mean, Brazil and security REALLY go hand in hand don't they? STOP TAYLOR.
- The USA Women's Basketball team won. Nothing to see here.
- This Aly Raisman deleted tweet story is interesting. First of all, the guys over at Bleacher Report think it might be fake, and they make some interesting points. Also, she used "were" instead of "we're". DAMMIT ALY. Anyway, this brings up a bigger issue. Why is Aly Raisman communicating to people through Twitter DMs? Does she not have this person's phone number or email address? Why are you even risking mistakenly tweeting your direct message to the masses? It kind of boggles my mind. Aly, take it from a person who has 103 followers and who's every tweet is carefully dissected and magnified (that sarcasm is coming through, right?), texting is your friend. I mean, they won't hack your phone. This is the British press we're talking about. Class, through and through...
- Here's what we know for sure. If they did go to that club, McKayla was ready.
- Jordan Burroughs is a guy you need to pay attention too. The Nebraska alum took home one of the two USA wrestling golds of these games, winning the 74kg division. Burroughs, who's Twitter handle is @alliseeisgold (easily my favorite Twitter handle of these games) gave an awesome interview to NBC after his gold medal performance. I really liked Burroughs personality and I hope he switches over to MMA after wrestling in Rio.
- Mexico beat Brazil in a gold medal match I admittedly gave them little chance to win. How could I have known that the moody, highly emotional Brazilian superstars would implode? Did you know the Brazil only won three gold medals this Olympics? That's the same amount as the Oklahoma City Thunder! Crazy, right? I've moved into full on attack mode against Brazil. I'm the Chael Sonnen of Olympic blogging! I got to stop before Anderson Silva comes to my house and hurts me. Whatever, its all about CONCACAF supremacy!
- David Rudisha's world record in the 800 meters was pretty cool. In what's being called, "The Greatest 800m race of all time", Rudisha blew away a historically fast field. If you missed it, I urge you to watch it, as Rudisha is now one of the greatest middle distance runners of all time. His feat deserves your time.
- I really enjoy rhythmic gymnastics. Can't say the same about synchronized swimming.
- Finally, we (the USA) beat China in the overall and gold medal count. While my natural inclination is to figure out as many ways to say, "Suck it" in English and Chinese, I will restrain myself. China put up a valiant fight, but was simply outgunned by our Americanness (I know that makes no sense). Anyway, we really don't compete against China directly that often. They're good at events we're not as good at and vice versa. Most of the duels this yeah came in the pool where as a wrote about last week, they seem to be an emerging force. However, the most joy I got from beating the Chinese was when David Boudia won the 10m platform diving competition. It was just awesome to beat China in a diving event. They just seem to never lose. Also, I've been hating on diving among my friends the past couple weeks, but that was an exciting final. Boudia, Tom "Golden Boy" Daley and Qiu Bo put on awesome performances. It took awhile, diving, but you finally produced excitement. So thank you China for the good fight. Having a rival makes us better and you're a worthy opponent. See ya in Rio.
Well, while I've probably not written about all I would have liked to in terms of reviewing the last couple days, this post will still come to a close. I mean, I need stuff to talk about in my Post Olympics Report. Over the next week, I'll give my final thoughts on these games. It will include my overall opinion of NBC, my top moments of the games, a best and worst of the Closing Ceremony, some in depth reviews of certain American programs, including predictions for their progress over the next four years, and something relating to Samuel L Jackson. We'll see how it goes. Thanks for reading. Follow me on Twitter @TaylorSmyth for my thoughts on everything. Well its mostly about sports, but I have tweeted about The Challenge (sure that piqued everyone interest) and other important things! Unless you don't want... Wait, there are no more spoilers. The Olympics are over. Ugh.
No comments:
Post a Comment