Friday Post, August 3rd, 2012

I hope everyone has been enjoying the London Olympics. I’ve been having a great time watching but have stayed up way too late every night and my brain is paying the price.

Seeing Michael Phelps win Silver in the 4×100 Freestyle was awesome. After seeing him come up short in his first three races I was beginning to get a little nervous. I began to wonder if all of his time off from training and the occasional bong hit had done him in. I would hate to see a champion like him go out with a whimper. Now he has 2 Gold and 2 Silver and is the most decorated Summer Olympian. I am so happy for him and proud that he is one of our guys.

The Men’s 4×100 Medley Relay is today. In Beijing, this was my favorite event. Seeing Phelps’s team mates going out of their minds as he was coming in for the final touch was something I’ll never forget. I’m looking forward to watching that race when I get home today. Hopefully it wont get spoiled by an errant Yahoo or Boston.com flash.

How about Gabby Douglas with two Golds? What a fantastic athlete. I watched the individual competition this morning before work and left the house a little later than usual. Poor Aly Raisman did make some crucial mistakes, but to lose in a tie for Bronze? When she grabbed the balance beam we knew she was in trouble. But what a fighter! I’m sure her hometown will give her a hero’s welcome and parade. I hope to see both girls back in 4 years.

Men’s gymnastics was just as exciting. Danell Leyva did an outstanding job getting the Bronze medal. I felt bad for John Orozco. I knew how badly he wanted to medal and what it meant to his family.

I’ve found over the years that I end up rooting for all of the competitors, regardless of their country. I want them all to do well and they all have compelling stories of hard work and sacrifice. Only a few can medal and it’s hard to see strong competitors fall short. It’s worse when this happens due to a questionable call by an official.

I’ve spent some time watching sports I never watch like Field Hockey, Judo, Fencing and Cycling. Seeing Bradley Wiggins win the cycling time trial was awesome. What a quintessentially English character he is. He’s not pretty or fashionable, but I love those sideburns! He seems like a great guy.

We have thirteen more days of excitement to go. I’m off to Maine for a family reunion, the Maine Lobster Fest and their 10K on Sunday in Rockland. Should be a great weekend.

©2012 anagelin