Olympics

They’re here! The 2024 summer Olympic games are under way, and I, along with a lot of others it seems, couldn’t be happier. What a thrill it is to watch!

I don’t care which sport it is…it’s the Olympics and they’re fascinating. It’s the best of the best competing with other bests.

Sunday night I got to watch some of the women’s gymnastics and saw who may well be the Greatest of all Time (GOAT) Simone Biles, and she did shine, as did each of her teammates. None of them were perfect, but what they undertook was amazing.

I have to admit, it’s probably my favorite sport to watch during these games, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only. I caught a little of the beach volleyball, swimming, diving and mountain biking also Sunday.

I told Jimmy it didn’t matter what sport it is, I could watch all 16 days worth of the Olympic competition given the chance. (During Braves games I have to switch back and forth.)

He just looked at me like I was crazy. Then again, he didn’t even know who Simone Biles was when I was talking Saturday about wanting to see her bars routine, because I read she had added a trick.

Well I got to watch her, in the qualifying matches, on bars, beam, vault and floor exercises. And she didn’t disappoint. I only hope whatever is wrong with her leg will be better by the next competition; but that too will be over before this column is read.

I mentioned the Olympics to a friend of mine who shared she, too, enjoyed watching different sports at this time. We both acknowledged we hope to see the new Olympic sport of break-dancing.

There’s just something about seeing these athletes competing as hard as they can on the world stage to bring glory to their country. What more could you ask for?

I know upcoming there’s lots of track & field, which promises to be competitive, as well a slew of other sports. There’s skateboarding, for one. How do they even learn to attempt all those tricks. And how many times do they crash before they perfect these things?

And I’m sure there’s events I know nothing about, like rowing, and I missed the women’s fencing. I have a brother-in-law who fences, so I’m sure he had an interest in that.

As for me, other than gymnastics, I won’t go far out of my way for the others, but will catch what I can when I can. I’m sure I’ll enjoy every minute (and this from someone who rarely watches TV).

They keep showing celebrities in the audience. I don’t know who they are, with the exception of a few. The sports stars I’m more likely to get than the movie stars, but I even have heard of Tom Cruise.

(I have a son-in-law who can’t believe I’ve never seen many movies or shows, and stars don’t impress me at all.)

I volunteered when the Olympics were in Atlanta, and I tell you I had a blast. There was so much energy; so much excitement everywhere…Marta buses, parks, venues, just in the air.

So, some sports I have the opportunity to watch other times, and don’t do it, but during these two weeks, I’ll watch everything I can. And I hope I hear our national anthem more than any of them,. Go team USA!