For the past two weeks, the Olympics Games have taken over NBC-owned stations, and for an avid sports fan like myself, watching has been a breath of fresh air.
The joy of the opening ceremony was dampened by the tragic death of a Georgian luger, Nodar Kumaritashvili. Continuing on, 82 countries marched in the magnificent ceremony, starting 16 days of exciting action. From mesmerizing shots in curling matches to painful finish-line collapses in cross-country skiing, each day has provided exciting moments.
College and professional sports are becoming increasingly drama-filled each offseason. With coaches defecting to take higher-paying jobs, hostile contract negotiations (has Brett Favre retired yet?), watching Olympic athletes compete for a common goal, a gold medal and the reverence of their country, is very refreshing. Teens can compete equally with 40-year-old veterans, excluding Brett Favre.
Professional athletes in the United States are known for their actions on and off the playing field. Olympians are seldom heard about during the four-year gap, but during these few days they are national heroes and household names.
These Games bring us together as a country. Some cheered Shani Davis on as he raced for his second career Olympic gold in 1,000-meter speed skating. Others got chills when Shaun White threw down the biggest run of his life in the snowboarding half pipe. Some may have been overcome with emotion when Evan Lysacek captured the first men’s figure skating gold for the U.S. since 1988. Except for the Super Bowl, World Series, Stanley Cup and NBA Game 7, every final that has a medal riding on it is better and more thrilling for the fan. The Olympics capture pure joy unlike anything we have, creating a very unique atmosphere.
As the Games wind down this week, we can look forward to U.S. men’s hockey doing their best impression of the 1980 “miracle on ice.” After upsetting Canada Sunday, the team sits in great position to capture the Olympic gold.
The opening ceremony featured a modern revamp of Michael Jackson’s “We Are The World,” with some of the globe’s best performers come together as one. That’s exactly what the Olympics give us.
