The Olympic Fanfare

After a little over a fortnight, the Olympics are over. We, here in the U.S., are just waiting for the closing ceremonies to air on NBC.

I just watched the USA win the Men’s Volleyball gold medal. This Olympic obsession has really swept the country. Everywhere I go, I see people glued to the TV watching the games.

The United Statest can claim the most medals but not the most gold. That honor goes to the Chinese. Now, it’s London’s turn to get ready for all of the pomp and circumstance of the Summer Games.

But before that happens, it’s time for the Winter Games. Vancouver, Canada gets its shot at worldwide exposure. I think where the Summer Games has gymnastics, swimming and diving as some of the most watched events. The Winter Games have figure skating, luge, downhill skiing as the popular events.

The Chinese really know how to put on an opening and closing ceremony. The countdown to the closing ceremony was amazing, fireworks shot up into the sky, counting down to the event. The entire city of Beijing lit up showing off the The Bird’s Nest and The Cube.

I do have to admit I think it’s funny how you can’t get through a commercial break without NBC wanting to sell you their Michael Phelps video. I think his accomplishment is unbelievable but if I see the clip of him screaming and flexing his muscles one more time, I think I’ll ________. (you fill in the blank)

Now, what will fill the Olympic void? The U.S. Opens, the Browns’ season, the Buckeyes’ season, just to name a few. There’s plenty of great sporting events ahead. I can’t wait to see what happens at Flushing Meadows. It’s bound to be an exciting grand slam event.

Goodbye, Beijing!

Let’s Talk Sports

More specifically, let’s talk Olympics.

The talk around work seems to center around the 2008 Summer Games. I don’t know how many different sports you can watch in one day. Today, so far, it’s been volleyball, beach volleyball, weightlifting (the sport that includes the snatch and clean & jerk, Mel, there’s a blog post there for you I’m sure) and finally tennis. {edit: I wanted to include a theory by Chris H. He’s long asserted something isn’t a sport unless it involves balls. This is why I originally italicized the world sport.}

I’m watching Lleyton Hewitt (Go Aussie! A shout-out to brissiemum2) take on Rafael Nadal. By the way, the Spaniard will move up and replace my boy, Roger Federer, at the top of the ranks. {fast forward} I just got back from a bike ride to Steelyard Commons and now Roger Federer is struggling against Rafael Arevalo of El Salvador, ranked 447th in the world. I cheated and found out he won. By the way, if you’re watching the Olympics, you may not know that a lot of the commentators are not actually in Beijing but back in the NBC studios in New York. You have to listen carefully to the audio at the beginning.

The Olympics are addicting. At least to me, I know I’m not alone in this camp. I think Americans are losing a lot of sleep.

Obsessive Olympic Watcher

I don’t know why but this always happens to me.

When Wimbledon comes on, I have to watch it all of the time during the fortnight.

Same thing applies to the Olympics, especially the Summer Games.

I’ve watched swimming, handball (really?), diving, boxing, more diving, tennis (of course) and basketball.

Oh, then there’s gymnastics. Team USA didn’t look like they were going for the gold last night during qualifying rounds. Gymnasts out of bounds, falling off of the uneven bars. I wasn’t prepared to see them fall apart like that.

I’m now watching Olympic boxing. Apparently, Cleveland native Raynell Williams is one of the best boxers on the USA’s team. My TV hasn’t left Universal HD, NBC or any of the other Olympic HD outlets.

I missed the opening ceremonies because I was enjoying a great dinner at Bar Cento but the games themselves have been great so far.

Here’s to more great action,