I grew up in a house that took the Olympics seriously. Every four years we were glued to the TV each night watching the coverage, and we pored over the newspaper accounts each morning. A highlight of our family's history was attending the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, NY, for which my dad was on duty with the National Guard. (Tragically, we did not see THE game.)I remember being floored the first time I mentioned the Olympics to a friend and she looked at me funny and said she and her family never really "got into them." Really? I thought. It never occurred to me that the entire world wasn't tuned in, that whole families were completely disinterested in the spectacle that combines love of sport and love of country into one mesmerizing display of humanity.
I still can't believe there are people out there who don't "get into it," or just plain don't get it. Luckily I married a guy who loves the Olympics as much as I do. And now I have another reason to watch — my best friend is helping to cover the Games for NBC. Check out her blog, she'll be posting updates whenever she gets a chance. (So proud of her! And jealous!)
6 comments:
I'm recording the opening ceremony to share it with Brother Bear tomorrow!
I too love the Winter Olympics. Ever since I can remember, I would spend hours and hours in front of the television watching bobsleigh, luge, downhill, ice hockey and whatever else the coverage threw at me. I not only loved the sporting competition, but somehow the whole Olympic spirit of coming together as peaceful nations to go "Swifter, Higher, Stronger" always struck a chord deep inside me.
When 1980 came around, I begged my parents to take me to Lake Placid. How could they not. It was only 5 hours away. By the time 1994 came I was begging my best friend (who was born in Oslo) Tom to take me with his family to Lillehammer. None of these tactics worked. I was relegated to sitting in front of the television as I had done for countless years before.
Flash forward to 2010 and I actually have the opportunity to head to the Winter Games in Vancouver thanks to my girlfriend who is covering the games for NBC in Whistler. I am beside myself. I never thought that this day would come,
So I, like you, am extremely excited to be able to have a partner who enjoys the games as much as I do. This is just another way that she is making all of my dreams come true.
Awwww, TJ, what a sweet sentiment. I'm thrilled you get to go ... hopefully you'll get to see Sheila at least a little bit while you're there! Enjoy.
Enjoy the show what a way to celebrate your birthday!!! Happy Birthday
I was so mad, we lost power right after the Opening Ceremony started and it was out until after midnight! No fair!!!
But we've been glued since it came back.
One of these days I'm gonna actually get to watch some of the Olympic coverage, too :). Hope you're all having fun watching!
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