Like a lot of people my age, I fell in love with the Olympics in 1980. The Miracle on Ice? It doesn't get any better than that. I'm not a hockey fan, but I still get chills when I hear Al Michaels's famous call: Do you believe in miracles? Arguably the greatest moment in the history of American sports.
The Winter Olympics feel more quirky to me. You've got crazy ski-jumpers, speed skaters seemingly parallel to the ground, that thing where people ski and shoot guns. And then there's curling, that strangely hypnotic frozen cousin of shuffleboard.
The Winter Olympics are brilliant, but I prefer the Summer Games. I'm really looking forward to watching this summer with the girls. Track and swimming are my favorite events, and I'm excited to see if Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps can repeat their dominance.
Um, I'm sorry. What?
I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm sure the kids will love these guys. I mean, what kid doesn't love droplets of steel?
Snap. Also posted on Olympics and you are quite correct - those mascots are ... beyond words.
ReplyDeleteClear case of: What were they thinking?
DeleteGreat mascot - now I am starting to wish I still has my house in the East End of Lodon close to the new stadium.
ReplyDeleteI would imagine you could rent that out for a pretty penny.
DeleteThose mascots are pretty out there. I'm looking forward to the Olympics too. The kids get so into it. We prefer the Winter Games, but then, we're Canadian. :)
ReplyDeleteYou Canadians do love your cold weather.
DeleteI wish I had a house in London - I'd rent it out and get away for a nice break while the Olympics are on!
ReplyDeleteI'm SO fed up of the blasted Olympics and although the idea is that it (supposedly) brings prestige and wealth I think we'll be paying it off for years!
Such a shambles with ticket allocations, too! Not many UK residents will be able to get to see the 'party' they're hosting!
As for the Logo and Mascots - did someone actually get paid for them? Strikes me as a case of 'Emperor's New Clothes'!
Sorry - but not all of us are behind this - especially as the BBC is planning blanket coverage on it's main channels and suspending it's regular programmes! Looks like I'll be catching up on DVDs ;-p
Sorry to rant - but not everyone's into sport on this scale!
SueH I refuse to go quietly!
Twitter - @Librarymaid
I would imagine there are plenty of people in London, in particular, who feel the same way.
DeleteI'm not into sports in general, but I dip in and out of the Olympics and other athletics stuff. The Winter Olympics is pretty exciting. As another UK resident I agree that some of the promotion etc is a bit off target like these mascots. They got famous artists like Tracey Emin to do paintings to go up as adverts, but they were all a bit nothing. Should've had a competition for kids to do them instead.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of having kids more involved with ads and other artwork.
DeleteOh, it's going to be madness there, MADNESS. How they'll squeeze in all the extra Olympics people into London I have no idea. I will be watching, though. I do get a little *sniff* patriotic about the Olympics and the athletes competing.
ReplyDeleteTo me, it's all about the personal stories. The work just to reach the Olympics is amazing.
DeleteI prefer the summer Olympics as well. It just leaves me in awe to watch the gymnasts on the rings and the uneven bars or the pommel horse. Those people are incredible displays of human physical achievement. I'm with you on the mascots though. You know they just did that so they could sell a million stuffed dolls to little kids pressuring their parents.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, the gymnasts are awesome. I can barely think about tiny Kerri Strug without tearing up.
DeleteCrazy that it's almost here again. I so enjoy watching the Olympics. As a writer, I'm starting to understand the time and effort it takes to prepare for that one event--for us the release of a book.
ReplyDeleteI like the writing analogy. I would imagine having a book released feels like winning a gold medal.
DeleteGreat post. I love the last line!
ReplyDeleteI prefer the summer games as well. But I do like me some hockey players...mmhhm
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for the Olympics this summer. I think London will be a great host and I'm excited to see what they do.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a hockey fan either but I'll never forget the Miracle on Ice. I'm so glad that was something I got to experience as it happened.
ReplyDeleteThe mascots are a riot. :D
My wife is an Olympics freak. She rules the remote control when the games are on! :)
ReplyDeleteThose mascots are whack. Winter Olympics all the way...one word: curling. ;)
ReplyDelete