10 Reasons Everyone Can Enjoy the Olympics

Posted by Adam Hart August 7, 2008 at 6:18 pm

Opening ceremonies kick off in Beijing on Friday. Some people believe the Olympics have lost their luster. I call those people party poopers. There is every reason in the world to watch the ‘lympics. And I’ve got ten for you. Get out your anti-smog mask; it’s time to get excited!

10. Some would expect me to throw up ten attractive female athletes and that would be that. I think I deserve a little more credit. I can respect the games for the purity of athletic competition. Plus, I’m saving those girls for higher on the list………… Reason #10 is Michael Phelps. He won six gold medals in his Olympics debut in 2004. He is a swimming phenomenon. Plus, Nick Lachey’s girlfriend seems to like certain things about him. His story is one to watch during these games.

9. New England Revolution defender Michael Parkhurst was already in Beijing for the SuperLiga Final, which the Revs won. He missed out on that trophy. But maybe he could help the U.S. bring home the gold in soccer. He is a proven player outside of U.S. territory. Remember that goal he scored in Toronto?

International soccer seems to be the only version American sports fans are even slightly interested in, so this gives me the slightest hope that these soccer games will be allowed on the television at my gym. Soccer fans need to enjoy the ‘lympics, too.

8. It’s the final year for Softball and Baseball in the Olympics. The IOC is dropping these games, but keeping badminton, handball and shooting…. guns. Because the Olympic games are about peace between all nations and peoples. This means it is the last time we will watch players like Jennie Finch on the Olympic stage.

If I’m allowed to stare into the eyes of female athletes like Finch every morning over in the NECN.com web center, it will make the Olympics 1,000 times better. And, of course, I would share that joy with NECN.com patrons.

7. Rhythmic gymnastics. This one speaks for itself. Well, with the help of this video clip.

Of the six rhythmic gymnasts, I’ll be rooting for Almudena Cid, because I like Spain the best out of the participating countries. There is the added bonus that she may be a descendant of El Cid, the hero of every student who takes Spanish class in high school.

6. Chinese food. During the most recent Winter Games in Tourin, I would eat heaping plates of spaghetti & meatballs in celebration of the host country. In 2008, I will be making multiple trips to Young China in East Providence, RI. Bring on the General Tsao’s chicken. And that’s an order, soldier. Haha!……… ha?

5. Hope Solo watch. As the starting keeper for the US Women’s soccer team, Solo will be under the watchful eye of the soccer community — and not for her tomboyish good looks. But because the last time she took part in an international competition — the 2007 FIFA World Cup — she was benched in favor of longtime US keeper Brianna Scurry, and did not take the news lightly:

“It was the wrong decision, and I think anybody that knows anything about the game knows that. There’s no doubt in my mind I would have made those saves. And the fact of the matter is it’s not 2004 anymore. It’s not 2004. And it’s 2007, and I think you have to live in the present. And you can’t live by big names. You can’t live in the past. It doesn’t matter what somebody did in an Olympic gold medal game in the Olympics three years ago. Now is what matters, and that’s what I think.“

At the time I agreed with Solo, and still do. She was dominant in net for our country, having allowed just 2 goals in 4 games. When Brazil rolled along, head coach Greg Ryan went with the 36-year-old Scurry because of her good track record against the South American power. The US women lost that game 4-0 with Scurry in net. It’s time for Solo to prove her worth to the world.

4. The choice of eye candy on the tennis courts for those with a keen eye for men. There is the sleeveless appeal provided by Rafael Nadal and his golden pipes. On the opposite end of the spectrum is class-act Roger Federer and his milk loving body. Add in the chance of an encore to that “amazing” Wimbledon Final and sports fans could be in for an all-around treat.

3. Synchronized swimming, where two become one. And beautiful Brazilian twins have a leg-up on the competition in that light. Anytime my ears pick up that a Brazilian female is competing, I will immediately look at the television. They have proven time and again that they are the real deal. (Turns out they didn’t make the Brazilian Olympic team. Whatever. They’re still attractive. And you can still picture them cheering on their teammates in unison. Jumping up and down, etc. Your imagine is your most powerful tool. Use it.)

2. The undisputed most attractive(center)/likeable female US athlete: Lolo Jones. She is a true catch. The automated song on her website oozes personality. Not only did she win the US trials in the 100m hurdles, but she read my mind in her post race interview: I’m so ready for the Olympics. Millions of teenage boys will fall in love with Lolo Jones these Olympics. Only patriotism could top her on this list…

1. Watching the United States win the medal count, despite the IOC choosing to hold this year’s games inside a smokestack. Anyone who thinks the IOC chose Beijing on its merits is a loony toon. The world is tired of the Red, White and Blue destroying the competition every four years. So much so that they even have double agents working within the USOC, trying to guilt American athletes into breathing that “air”. Well, it doesn’t matter. They could hold these games underwater, and our athletes would find a way to grow gills. That’s right, America is unstoppable! Now go watch yourself some Olympics.