Friday, August 08, 2008

Olympimania

The Summer Olympics start today...and so far all I've really felt is a lot of controversy. The smog, the banned athletes, the protests concerning Tibet, security issues--it just seems to have taken some of the steam away from how I remember the games being.

When I was a teenager, we got very excited about the Olympics. Very, very excited.
For one thing..I came of age during the Summer 1984 Games....and this is how I got there:




Thanks Bart.


Good Going Greg.

Peter you rock.

Mitch owned my soul.



But it wasn't just 1984. I remember in 1986, two brave men were training for the 1988 Olympics...as synchronized swimmers. This is the American spirit people.



9 comments:

  1. I will never forget the closing ceremonies for that olympics. It was the fist time I cried about something patriotic. I remember all the details, the ugly floral sofa I was sitting on, our little house. This feeling that I was American. It was very moving.

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  2. Anonymous9:35 AM

    I am such an Olympics junkie, which is why working for the office of protocol at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta was my BEST. JOB. EVER.

    It's defintiely an order-in-Chinese-takeout-and-watch-the-Opening-Ceremonies kinda night for me tonight.

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  3. I'm not an Olympics nut, but I do enjoy watching some of the sports. And I do usually tear up when our athletes are on the medal stand and our anthem plays.

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  4. I do love that little shiver I get during the anthem.

    Amanda--which is your fave event?

    Lilli-I don't remember the closing--but I remember the opening...with the astronaut that flew in w/a jet-pack...and everyone in the audience held up cards so the flags of every country showed up.

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  5. Anonymous12:05 PM

    Ah, Mitch ---- And then there was "American Anthem" :)

    I knew the corruption had to start somewhere Gwen!

    bria

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  6. Anonymous1:30 PM

    Hmmm...fave event? Probably gold medal ladies' gymnastics. :)

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  7. I'm a total Olympics junkie. I'll be in front of a TV for the next month!

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  8. Gwen...you're a woman after my own heart. Mitch Gaylord. Mmmm... I remember being glued to the TV in 1984 watching the men's gymnastics team. They were unstoppable. Ahhh...memories! = )

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  9. ROFL--I used to ADORE the olympics...haven't watched too much in the last few years, but I'm thinking I should!

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