There is something about watching people compete in the Olympics that is different than any regular sporting event. I'm not sure if it is because they only happen every 4 years (I know that winter and summer olympics are only two years apart from each other, but the events are 4 years apart :-) ) or if it is the hype that comes with the opening ceremony and non-stop coverage. What ever it is, I am staying up every night until nearly midnight because I am completely hooked.
Last night we watched the women's gymnastics competition. Tiffany (10) was watching it with us, and she said she hopes she can compete like that some day. As an adult I look at those gymnasts and think that out of all the clubs in all of the USA, only 6 made it on that team. It cost those families untold amounts of money, un-natural amounts of time, and complete focus and motivation, to the exclusion of all else, and most gymnasts still don't get that dream fulfilled. It's a goal that will bring only disappointment. It's not practical! And yet, a child watches the team compete and dreams that some day it might be her. Oh to believe like a child again - Anything is possible, and dreams can come true!
2 comments:
How funny. I was just thinking about you last night and wondering if you were watching. Of course you were. I remember when I was young like Tiffany, watching Nadia compete and imagining myself in the Olympics some day. I used the branches of our apple tree as uneven bars.
The sad thing is that even after those 6 women (and their families) sacrificed their time, money, social lives, etc for all those years, I can't help but think they're all disappointed that they didn't win the gold.
p.s. Welcome to the beautiful, addictive world of blogging. It will be fun to see what's happening in your life on a more regular basis.
Yay Tiffany! She is such a cutie. We had gymnastics on the other day when she was here, and she was telling me that there was "no way" the chinese girls were 16, and then commenting on their performances. We just love your kids!
I hope she's feeling better!
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