Going For The Gold

I have loved the Olympics since watching Mary Lou Retton win the gold in the all-around in the 1984 Olympics. Mary Lou is a WV girl, and yes, I realize I just dropped the first-name like we are neighbors. After she won gold, a local car-dealer gave her a red Corvette with a license plate that read MARY LOU. I remember it like it was yesterday.

Retton won the gold in 1984. The year after that, Michael Fred Phelps was born.

Geez, I feel old.

When I was about seven or eight, my mama enrolled me in gymnastics class. My olympic career (ha!) in gymnastics was short-lived because I had major trouble on the balance beam. And if I’m being honest, my olympic career was over before it ever got started because anyone who knows me would tell you that I often trip over my own feet.

Here are just a few observations from the past few nights of Olympic coverage.

1. What is up with the gray jackets many of the athletes wear to the medal ceremonies? Gray? Is that the best Ralph Lauren could do? Why not a bright red with some navy stars or stripes?

2. Is Gabby Douglas not just the cutest thing? In her post-victory interview she said, “I give all the glory to God. It’s kind of a win-win situation. The glory goes up to Him and the blessings fall down on me.”

3. With all the five one-hundreths of a point deductions, how is it possible that two women’s all-around gymnasts TIED? I’ll ask you again, HOW? If I were Raisman, I’d demand a re-count.

4. Kayla Harrison – the first American to win an Olympic medal in Judo? Nice.

I had no idea Judo was an Olympic event.

5. I visited Google to find out why Olympic divers rinse off or get in the hot tub after each dive. Apparently the temperature difference between the pool water and the air can cause muscles to tighten. Showering, or sitting in the hot-tub keeps this from happening.

6. Hearing the athlete’s personal stories make me all teary-eyed and sad that I never trained for an Olympic Event. And it reminds me that I should be enrolling our boys in a swim club, a gym, or maybe Judo? 

7. Michael Phelps. What else is there to say?

Except that he’s hot.