I Heart the Olympics
Aug 9th 2008
Julia LondonMy Life As A Plebe
I will confess to not giving this post much thought, as I am still battling a book that was due last week and is a couple of weeks away from being finished. Everything else falls away–cooking, cleaning, participating in fun convos on this blog–unfortunately, I have not choice, my back is that pressed against the wall.
BUT…
There’s always a butt. But.
The Olympics have begun and I do love the Olympics. I love watching the little pixies hurl themselves through the air. I love watching the shotputters (shot-putters?) hurl their big balls of iron. I like track and field and oh yeah, swimming! Dara Torres, the 41-year old phenom! And Michael Phelps who is hot and talented! Men in skin tight suits!
I love the really obscure sports, too, like rhythmic gymnastics and synchronized swimming. Those chicks crack me up. Synchronized diving is not far behind but I think that sport is higher on the testosterone scale. I also like platform diving, cycling, the marathon, particularly if they run in the putrid air that hangs of Beijing, and anything else the network wants to show me. I get all teary eyed every time they show someone achieving their dream of a gold medal, and I have been known to actually shed tears when the Star Spangled Banner gets played.
So while I am pound out the last 40 pages of HIGHLAND SCANDAL (hey, an opportunity to pimp! That book follows BOOK OF SCANDAL, which will be out August 19!!), I will be watching the sports, too.
Do you heart the Olympics? What is your favorite sport? What Olympic game or even stands out in your memory? What did you think of the opening ceremony?
49 Comments »
49 Responses to “I Heart the Olympics”
Margaret Garland on 09 Aug 2008 at 5:48 am #
OMG yes!! I definitely heart the Olympics. I didn’t watch the opening ceremony live but wish I had. I watched last night and TG I set the DVR for it. I do believe this was the most amazing opening I’ve ever seen in lo these many years of Olympic viewing. The kids with the drums made my heart stop. The guy who lit the flame took my breath away. It was exotic, heart-rending, beautiful, mysterious, etc. I even watch bits of it earlier this morning while I was waking up.
My favorite sport used to be gymnastics till the girls started getting younger and more anoexic. Now, I find it sort of sad. The guys are sill great. Maybe they aren’t hounded like the girls are. I like the track & field events. I was never a runner/hurler/jumper but my soul does it with this kids. I wish them all the best. And I do mean all. Each nation. I dislike the American slant the networks give to the games. I want other nations covered, too.
Margaret Garland on 09 Aug 2008 at 5:50 am #
contd…
I can’t remember a best game. The Dream Team doesn’t count with me. They were, and are, professional players and should have won that year. I feel the addition of pros into the games was not a good thing. But that’s just MNSHO.
I like rooting for the kid who doesn’t stand a snoball’s chance in heck of getting near a medal but pours their heart into their sport anyway. They are my heroes.
Lisa H on 09 Aug 2008 at 6:18 am #
Sorry Julia. I don’t heart the Olympics, at least not the summer games. I heart romance books and reading and writing, and because I get so little time to do the things I love, I have to choose how I spend every minute. Olympics would rate somewhere after doing laundry and cleaning out the fridge.
Can’t wait for your new book. Now there is something high on my priority list!
Kathy/Cookie on 09 Aug 2008 at 6:24 am #
I ? the Olympics too! I woke up early to watch the last of the Canadian mens gymnastics team… I only caught the last event of the pummel though. I couldn’t bring myself to wake up at 4 to watch the start. My friend’s daughter Rhea used to compete and I’ve been to a few of her Provincial meets. I was her nanny when she was 3 and still best friends with her mom. She’s an all grown up 19yr old now.
One of her friends is competing, so I had to catch something!
I watch the Opening Ceremonies with pride and glee! and alwasy tear up at the Closing Ceremonies
I follow almost Everything- too many to mention! my niece Jessica competed in the Canada Games- Nova Scotia Fencing team- so maybe someday she’ll be Olympic bound! who knows!
I don’t feel professional basketball players should be allowed to compete. that is not fair, they are well paid for their sport,and are taking spots away from deserving athletes. the idea is that the Olympics are supposed to be an amatuer event.
Kathy/Cookie on 09 Aug 2008 at 6:29 am #
The opening ceremony was awesome! I commented yesterday that I watched it live~ starting at 8 am. the scroll and the printing type face things going up and down! holy cow, I couldn’t believe there were people under there, I thought it was all some kind of mechanism!
A friend had a baby boy at 8:15 yesterday too! His name is Remy. so another friend and I are going to put together- well really me- a “this is what happened on the day you were born” video with highlights from the ceremony.
Kathy/Cookie on 09 Aug 2008 at 6:37 am #
http://www.cbc.ca/olympics/livevideo/#n=bold&p=equestrian_on_bold&e=eventing_dressage_day_1_evening&dt=2008/08/09_07:10%20AM&s=http://authmfile.akamai.com.edgesuite.net/akamai.stream.auth/35018/wm/cbcwm.gen/v001/reflector:12324.js
I’m watching Equestrian Dressage live online right now
Freedom Writer on 09 Aug 2008 at 6:57 am #
I am not a big fan of the Olympics. On occasion I have watched the gymnastics or figure skating, but I would rather spend my time writing, reading and playing with my granddaughter.
As for professionals in the Olympics, there have always been professional athletes in the Olympics, after all many communist countries support their Olympians financially, which to me qualifies them as professional athletes because they get paid for performing and participating in their sport just as our “professional” basketball players do, although I am sure that there is a slight difference in the amount of compensation received.
PJ on 09 Aug 2008 at 7:15 am #
I’m an Olympics junkie. I love them, adore them, can’t get enough of them. The opening ceremonies were unbelievable. I don’t know if anyone will ever top it, at least not in my lifetime. I’m most interested in swimming and diving this year but I’ll watch whatever events they broadcast, whenever they’re on. Did I mention I’m an Olympics junkie?
Favorite Olympics moment? That’s easy. 1980. Miracle on Ice. Jumping up and down in my living room, screaming at the top of my lungs as the seconds counted down. The crowd chanting USA! USA! Al Michaels yelling “Do you believe in Miracles???”. Then the final buzzer and the entire audience on their feet cheering a group of college kids nobody had given any chance of reaching the semi’s, much less winning the Gold Medal. And finally, Goalie Jim Craig, wrapped in the American flag, skating around the rink, tears streaming down his cheeks, searching the crowd for his dad while I stood in my living room, sobbing right along with him
Margaret Garland on 09 Aug 2008 at 7:37 am #
How could I have forgotten the Miracle hockey game, PJ. I was trying to think of a summer game. My pea brain compartmentalizes too much sometimes.
I need to go the Olympics web site and print out a schedule. I forget there are events early in the morning. I was re-watching the opening aroun d 4am. It still blew me away.
I wonder how long the torch lighter had to practice flying along in front of that screen and acting like he was actually running.
I want to watch the drummers again. Such joy in heir faces when they finished.
Michelle B on 09 Aug 2008 at 7:38 am #
I love the Olympics! As a kid growing up on a farm without cable TV we devoured the olympic coverage that ABC did so well. I loved Jim McKay and his behind the scenes stories of the athletes. My favorite was the Montreal Olympics and gymnastics were my favorite to watch. Boxing for the USA had some wonderful success and heart warming stories that year.
We watched the opening ceremony in awe last night. China has indeed set the bar high for opening ceremonies. It was artistic, meaningful, and had you from hello. My husband and I were joking that the folks planning the next one are sitting around saying, “simple, we just need to bring it back to very simple”.
This year I am interested in how well the swim team, gymnastics, softball, women’s soccer, the volleyball teams, and the “Redeem Team” will do.
Michelle B on 09 Aug 2008 at 7:49 am #
While I don’t agree with the professional athletes competing, I did get a kick out of the athletes from other countries in the opening ceremonies trying to get close enough to Kobe Bryant to get their picture taken with him. This was while they were standing in the middle of the field after marching in. Kobe looked like he was being a good sport about it all and the athletes from the other countries looked like thrilled little kids.
Margaret Garland on 09 Aug 2008 at 8:12 am #
Claudia, you’ll have to keep us up on what we should watch for in the rowing competitions.
I just looked at the schedule. It’s laid out very nicely. I was surprised to see football as an event. Even more so when I found out it’s women’s football. I’ll have to tell my jockette granddaughter, Olivia. She’s played on boys teams for 10 years. She’s more into rugby these days and that’s one sport I’d like to see added to the Olympics. If they can have beach volleyball, why not rugby?
Beth C. on 09 Aug 2008 at 8:30 am #
Yes, I heart the Olympics. I like seeing some of the shooting, and archery events. Along with the gymnastics, swimming and diving events. Oh and can’t forget the equestrian events or the beach volleyball. Men without shirts all hot and sweaty. Can’t forget that. And of course Tennis. And shortly after the Olympics the US Open will be starting.
elsiehogarth on 09 Aug 2008 at 8:42 am #
Julia, I love the Olympics…my sister Laurie and I were just commenting on the fantastic opening. I really love watching all the delegetes and seeing how happy and proud they are in representing their countries. I always feel like I am having a geography lesson because I discover new countries that I never knew existed or that a country changed its name.
My favorite sports are: beach volleyball, water polo, track and field, swimming relays, fencing, platform diving, basketball, women’s soccer & softball, equestrian dressage-because the horses are gorgeous and gynastics. I will try not to watch the spoilers on ESPN/Sports Center or read the paper so that I can be surprised.
freshechelle on 09 Aug 2008 at 8:56 am #
I totally heart les olympiques! Don’t know why I insistent on calling them by their French name…anyhoo, special olympic moments (poor choice of adjective I don’t get to see much of the Special Olympics) … I think the Claritin is making me manic:
Watching the ‘80 gold medal winning hockey game at age 13, the one after the Miracle, for some reason I had watched the hockey from the start that year. My sister’s stoner friend walks the house and says “oh, hey, they win this game.” Guess I hold a grudge since I haven’t forgotten it 28 years later.
I like listening to Dick Button cover the ice skating because he’s unintentionally funny. He can come off like a one dimension gay character in a movie written by someone who doesn’t actually know any gay people. My gay guy friends come over with score cards for us and we watch mens figure skating to judge the important stuff like “costume” and “package”. Adjustments (again, poor choice of word) can be made for the summer games.
freshechelle on 09 Aug 2008 at 9:01 am #
During the 84 LA Summer games, I was living in England. Did you know that other countries’ Olympic coverage doesn’t have commentators speaking over the event 24/7? It’s amazing. They just let you watch. Now sure I appreciate a little help watching the event to understand some sports but hearing about the souvenir pins Jojo Starbuck picked up in the Olympic village isn’t value added.
Judy F on 09 Aug 2008 at 9:07 am #
I love the olympics. I watched most of the opening ceremonies last night and taped the rest. (I am on some meds for a UTI etc and they are making me tired) With not having cable I am limited to what I get to watch. I love the swimming.
Most of the sports I love to watch are ones I can never ever do or that they scare me silly. I love the platform diving, hurdles, track and field. I try to be sure to catch the swimming and the gymnastics. A local woman is or was one of the coaches and has a gym here.
I still choke up about that hockey game. Even watching the movie that was made about it made me cry.
PJ on 09 Aug 2008 at 9:32 am #
Freshechelle, I’m afraid I’d have had to do some serious damage to your sister’s friend! lol
Karen Rose on 09 Aug 2008 at 10:00 am #
I want to know how to get the little heart symbol in my text!
I love the swimming. I used to be a swimmer a million years ago. I dreamed of being good enough for the Olympics. Unfortunately I wasn’t even good enough to beat my neighborhood kids. This year is especially exciting, with the 41 year old mom. GO GIRL. Break some MAJOR RECORDS!
Fave moment from my childhood, watching Dorothy Hamill skate around the ice. I even got my hair cut like hers. It looked better on her! I know that’s not the summer games, but it’s still my favorite moment.
I would love to be in the UK and not have to suffer through the commentary. Especially when one athlete has a family trial, like the year the skater’s sister had died from leukemia. Leave the poor guy alone, already!!! The media glommed onto him and wouldn’t leave him alone.
I heart the Olympics. I hate the press.
Good luck on getting your book done, Julia!!!
Claudia Dain on 09 Aug 2008 at 10:15 am #
I love watching the Olympics! I tear up at the winners, curse a stupid judge, feel a swell of joy when the national anthem is played…the whole nine yards. I love the backstory snippets we get now, all the fun facts about an Olympian’s life and his/her road to the Olympic games. So moving!
I love the winter and summer Olympics, maybe the winter Olympics a tad more.
Summer favs are swimming, gymnastics, diving, crew (rowing), but I will watch anything Olympic!
Margaret, the thing to watch for in rowing is…um, how to put it?…perfect movement in perfect harmony. The rowers should look like a fractured mirror; each one moving in exactly the same way, angle, time as all the others. Watch the oars, too. The angle of the oars and the blades should be precisely the same for each seat (rower). Speed comes not only through muscle power but the sleek aerodynamics of all the moving parts (the rowers and their oars).
I’m so excited it’s an Olympic year!
Kathy/Cookie on 09 Aug 2008 at 10:37 am #
Karen, and anyone else who wants to know how:
hit alt, then on your number pad hit 3(not the one over your letters) while still holding down alt. when you lift up you’ll get ?
a pal told me how! otherwise I’d nevr know
you can get ? by doing 1 and ? by doing 2. as well.
I like the Canadian broadcast of the olympics…they chat but other wise it’s pretty quiet. and if you go online to http://www.cbc.ca/olympics/livevideo/ you can get live feed -no one talks through at all and all you hear are the athletes! I have no idea if you can get it in the States. often I can’t get content from a US or UK video feed site.
I’m off soon to my birthday BBQ! will take lots of pics…it’s a hot humid day here, so cool clothes are the order of the day. I’ve changed a few times already and have nixed the dress.
PJ on 09 Aug 2008 at 10:41 am #
Kathy, thanks for the ? info! Happy Birthday!
Sabrina Jeffries on 09 Aug 2008 at 11:07 am #
I’m not a big fan of the Olympics myself, although I know lots of people who are. I WOULD like to know how the autistic swimmer does in the Paralympics, but other than that, I don’t really care. Isn’t that terrible?
It’s a good thing, though, because I’ve really got to get moving on Charlotte and Michael’s book.
Julia London on 09 Aug 2008 at 11:17 am #
I want to know how Cathy/Cookiedough is making those hearts!
My most memorable Olympics was the hockey game, and then — dating myself — the games in Germany (Berlin?) where the Israelis were killed. I remember being glued to the set (it was a set back in those days) watching it unfold. Not a pleasant memory, but a strong one, nonetheless.
Freedom and Lisa, How fortunate for me that BOOK of SCANDAL comes out in the middle of the games so you’ll have something to watch!!
Julia London on 09 Aug 2008 at 12:02 pm #
Oh, P.S. - I watched the opening games last night and thought they were beautiful. I loved the boat thing. And the people running around the world. It was really amazing.
Judy F on 09 Aug 2008 at 12:55 pm #
I remember that Julia too. That was so sad and terrifying.
The people running around the world was awesome. I could never do it. I would be to scared.
I loved the flag carrier for China and the little boy. That was so sweet.
Right now I am watching beach volleyball. Make in my youth I played on a sand volleyball team. Nothing like these people.
Julia London on 09 Aug 2008 at 1:32 pm #
Judy, the story of that little boy was incredible. He went back for his classmates because he was a team leader and that’s what he thought team leaders were supposed to do. He was so cute!!
LisaH and Freedom, I meant something to READ, not watch.
Cathy/Cookie : I have a mac and it doesn’t do the heart. WAAAAAHHH!
Lisa H on 09 Aug 2008 at 1:36 pm #
Julia - I am so waiting for your book!
I can’t make a little heart either! Happy Birthday Kathy/Cookie, you are sweet!
Margaret Garland on 09 Aug 2008 at 1:42 pm #
Julia, that was the 1972 Munich games you are talking about. I remembered Munich and knew it was around then but had to Google it to be sure. So long ago. I remember being glued to the tv and watching Jim McKay for endless hours.
Claudia, thanks for telling me how I should be watching the rowing. I’ve always enjoyed watching the smoothness and seeming ease of the whole thing. A couple of times, when down in Philadelphia, I’ve seen the rowers practicing and have gone into the park to sit and watch them. I love Philly!
BTW, the official Olympic web site has a great schedule in place. On one page, there are tabs telling you what games are over, what’s playing right now and what’s up next. Very helpful. A lot of hard work has gone into creating that site.
http://en.beijing2008.cn/
Margaret Garland on 09 Aug 2008 at 1:46 pm #
Kathy, just knew the heart had something to do with Alt. Long ago, I learned how to put in the degree sign for temperatures. I used to put a lot of recipes in a software cookbook. Thank you for the heart info.
BTW, to get degree type alt-0176 and, voila, you have it. ° Cute, isn’t it?
????? ?!! I’m so easily amused.
Kari on 09 Aug 2008 at 3:16 pm #
Normally I don’t pay attention to them. BUT last night at 2 am I wa glued to the tv watching. I missed the opening ceremony but I’m sure I can catch it on you-tube.
For those of you who have DirecTv USA network is airing the olympics and if you click on the red button on the remote it will pop up a menu. You can pick options like seeing a list of competing countries and the metal count each has won, daily trivia and daily schedules of each network that shows the olympics. Just a little fyi.
Karen Hawkins on 09 Aug 2008 at 3:22 pm #
I just watched Phelps break another World Record in the 200 meter just now! HOW EXCITING! I always scoff to myself that the Olympics are no big deal and I probably won’t watch them … and then I sit on the edge of my seat and am glued to the set. Like you, Julia, I’ve been known to get misty eyed when the Star Spangled Banner is played.
It’s so neat when you see all of the back stories, too, of this athlete and that one. It makes it really personal and much more fun to watch. I *heart* the Olympics, too! (I’m just too chicken to try and do the whole alt thingee.)
freshechelle on 09 Aug 2008 at 3:26 pm #
Julia, I’ve gone Mac as of last week and I’m dying without my spider solitaire. I’m still in search of a good version to download. Guess no hearts to insert to describe my love of spider solitaire either.
Gotta go lay down. I think I’m coming down with Olympic Fever.
Julia London on 09 Aug 2008 at 3:55 pm #
Fresch, I don’t think I’ll ever go back. I love this computer. It allows me to make movies and other fun stuff. OH! I should have posted a movie this week!
Those swimmer’s shoulders are sooooo broad. Anyone noticed? K-Ha?
Judy F on 09 Aug 2008 at 4:03 pm #
I noticed. LOL. esp when they are warming up their arms and flexing… WOW
now I want to know why the woman beach volleyball wear those itty bitty suits and they guys have on long shorts and tops. Unfair…
freshechelle on 09 Aug 2008 at 4:22 pm #
Julia, I guess your outstanding photo shop skills are attributed to your Mac. I gotta go drool over them swimming boys…
Karen Hawkins on 09 Aug 2008 at 5:16 pm #
Funny you should mention the broad shoulders . . . I feel a FROS coming on! Not tomorrow, of course — that one is done. But next week fir sure! By then we’ll know all the deliciousness of those hard-bodied athletes!
Julia London on 09 Aug 2008 at 5:44 pm #
K-Ha, do you still have my FROS for Book of Scandal? He had some broad shoulders, too
Judy F on 09 Aug 2008 at 6:11 pm #
did you see the pictures of the athletes in people? Yummy
Julia London on 09 Aug 2008 at 6:25 pm #
Oh nooooo, Judy. I must get People!!
TinaLouiseF on 09 Aug 2008 at 6:54 pm #
I’m not much into sports of any kind, but I like equestrian and figure skating.
Unfortunately, the equestrian events seem to be on channels I do not have.
Julia London on 09 Aug 2008 at 8:23 pm #
I bet Nicole is all over those equestrian events! I like them too, Tina — I wish they showed more of the less popular sports.
evlqn on 09 Aug 2008 at 8:33 pm #
I ? the olympics but I rarely have the time to watch very many of the events. I usually get only snippets of whatever is happening. I love the gymnastics and swimming.
One of my cousins swam in the Special Olympics in Australia, I’m not sure how she did because we were in crisis here so that time was a bit of a blur.
One of my all time favorite moments is Mary Lou sticking that final jump, it can still make me cloud up and rain.
Off topic, KarenR did you see the dragon at my storage unit?
Julia London on 09 Aug 2008 at 9:00 pm #
That reminds me of the gynmast Kerry Scruggs, remember her? She had that broken foot and nailed it. Wow.
ladydawgfan on 09 Aug 2008 at 11:06 pm #
I also ? the Olympics!! I usually watch swimming, track and field, and gymnastics. I also like to watch the ones where the athlete is not expected to win anything and ends up winning it all. GREAT stories!!
BTW, I read an ARC of Julia’s book. You are all in for something special!!!
Karen Rose on 09 Aug 2008 at 11:48 pm #
Evqln - I did see your dragons! How fun! I wish the storage place around her had dragons. Of course, I’ve had my fill of storage sheds on fire, so perhaps not…
Thanks for the link!
PJ on 10 Aug 2008 at 7:26 am #
Louisa, you lucky dog! (pun intended)
Counting the days, Julia.
Judy F on 10 Aug 2008 at 8:24 am #
Julia the hot olympic pics are in Us Magazine not people. Sorry I got it mixed up
Julia London on 10 Aug 2008 at 11:37 am #
OOOh, ladydawg, thanks for the plug!
Judy F — I am heading for CVS right now to get my fix, LOL