Some thoughts on the Olympics

I was three during the Munich games but nothing jogs my memory there, just the many stories I have seen/read about the tragedy. One of these days I need to ask my folks if they watched it. They were very careful not to let me see the news during that time. Although I do remember bits and pieces I heard about Vietnam and Watergate. No specific details, just names.

The first games that I remember watching were in Montreal in 1976. I have vivid memories of one of the Russian weightlifters. I cannot recall his name, but he was huge and he wore a red spandex outfit. I also remember speaking with my parents about the Olympic flag and what all of the rings meant.

I remember the 1980 Winter games, the Miracle on Ice, Eric Heiden and so much more. It is one of the first times that I remember hearing people chant “USA, USA, USA.” It was so much fun.

In 1984 the Olympics came to my hometown of Los Angeles and we had a fabulous time with that. In 1996 I went to the Summer games in Atlanta. I was in Centennial park the day it reopened following the bombing. That whole experience was so much fun. It was a little tedious at times because the crowds were just overwhelming.

After a while it got to be oppressive because someone was always bumping into you. Nonetheless, it was just great.

Anyway, I prefer the Summer Games to the Winter, I just find them to be more interesting. And I have to admit that during the Summer Games I’ll watch almost any of the sports with interest. Under normal circumstances I wouldn’t care to watch Badminton or trap shooting, but during the games, I figure why not.

At some point in time I plan on inventing a new sport that sweeps the world. It will be something that I can be considered world class in. The next step will be to convice the IOC to include it in the games so that I can finally go and participate as an athlete. That would be very cool.

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