An Olympic Re-Post

Several bloggers have been talking about the Olympics and I said I couldn't remember the last time I watched them.  Then I remembered that I might have blogged about them.  I found this post from 2012 when I was watching the summer Olympics.  Here is that old post:

July, 2012

I have been watching the 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony.  And watching and watching.  It has been many years since I actually sat down and watched a Parade of Nations.  When I was younger, I would not have missed a moment.

I have never been to an Olympic event.  The closest I ever got to one was to be in Melbourne, Australia when the flag went by in 2000.

But I did get to put on an Olympic Gold medal and I must say it was thrilling.  I worked with someone whose sister was an Olympic athlete, Sheila Taormina.  We did a fundraiser for her prior to the 2000 Olympics.  She brought along her 1996 Gold Medal and had me put it on for our photo.

Sheila and I

I am also wearing one of the t-shirts that were sold to raise money for the 2000 Olympics.  Pack-rat that I am I still have the t-shirt and will wear it tomorrow when I do my Olympic sport - cutting the grass. 

So, my best wishes to all the athletes as they compete over the next two weeks.  Win or lose, it has to be an incredible experience.

Olympic Wind-down

It is 9:45 am and in just a few minutes I will sit down and watch the Olympics.  The men's basketball team will play for the Gold Medal.  At four I will sit at my computer and watch the closing ceremonies streamed live by NBC.  This is necessitated by an airport run I need to make at seven this evening.

I now know why I have not watched the last several Olympics.  Who has the time?  Besides, now that I have the time, I have not gotten much else done. 

I missed some moments I wish I had seen.  I did not get to see all of the gymnastic medal performances.  But, I did get to see Michael Phelps win his medals.  I saw the 10 meter high dive and rhythmic gymnastic finals.

The last few days I have been watching all the track and field events.  In the late 1960's and early 70's, I would go to see the NCAA Indoor Track and Field events at Cobo Arena in Detroit.  I was fortunate enough to see many great athletes of that time.  Many of these college athletes were on the 1968 Olympic team.

I think that track is my favorite sport.  I love to run, but I have never been able to compensate for the stress-induced asthma I have.  In high school, I competed in the high jump and long jump.

But in the early 60's, we 'girls' competed amongst ourselves.  We played only half-court basketball.  We played a game called 'speed-a-way' (I can't believe I actually found info about this online) instead of soccer.  We were just girls, of course.  I don't remember competing against another school until my senior year.

I did win my athletic letter in high school.  Of course, it was a smaller size than the men won.  What else?  We were also told we could not get jackets to put our letters on, only sweaters.  Do you believe this?  No wonder I became a rebel.

So, I am watching the game on TV as I sit here.  I have some errands to run, so I may have to actually function in 'normal' mode at some point.  But it has been an exciting two weeks.  I went to my yoga classes, but nothing has been accomplished around the house and yard.  It's back to my routine tomorrow. 

My thanks to all the athletes and the City of London for a wonderful stay-at-home summer vacation from routine.

My Girl's Athletic Association letter stuck on the cover of my high school scrapbook.  The two pins are for softball (center field) and speed-a-way.

An Olympic Moment

I have been watching the 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony.  And watching and watching.  It has been many years since I actually sat down and watched a Parade of Nations.  When I was younger, I would not have missed a moment.

I have never been to an Olympic event.  The closest I ever got to one was to be in Melbourne, Australia when the flag went by in 2000.

But I did get to put on an Olympic Gold medal and I must say it was thrilling.  I worked with someone who's sister was an Olympic athlete, Sheila Taormina.  We did a fundraiser for her prior to the 2000 Olympics.  She brought along her 1996 Gold Medal and had me put it on for our photo.

Sheila and I

I am also wearing one of the t-shirts that were sold to raise money for the 2000 Olympics.  Pack-rat that I am I still have the t-shirt and will wear it tomorrow when I do my Olympic sport - cutting the grass. 

So, my best wishes to all the athletes as they compete over the next two weeks.  Win or lose, it has to be an incredible experience.