Olympic Spirit ~ stories and photos

[Cathleen]

I love the Olympics, always have. As a kid I remember watching Peggy Fleming skate so beautifully and win a gold medal. It was incredibly exciting to watch Jean-Claude Killy fly downhill. When I got a little older I used to pretend that someday I'd win a metal in the downhill since it was my favorite way to ski. Seeing Franz Klammer just blew my mind in '76.

There are as many stories as there are athletes. Torvill and Dean -- I was in a trance and any time I hear even a few notes of Boléro, I see them skating. I could fill page after page about memories of past games. I love to watch different sports, some fantastic and some that make you want to scratch your head but I watch them. It's the people that matter to me...

It is the people. I will never forget 1972 - it still makes me shed tears. The Olympics should always be untouchable from the outside, the boycotts weren't fair I don't think -- again, that outside stuff. I know I'm naive about it and I'm staying that way because for a couple of weeks every couple of years, I can keep the outside out and be in awe of the athletes drive and mostly of their dreams.

I have lots of favorites but one stands out because of his dedication and sense of reality. He knew there'd be no medal but for him it was the attempt and the joy. Eddie "the Eagle" Edwards, the man had gusto. Some might think he was making fun of the Olympics, I think he was making fun at the Olympics. He'll always be one of the many symbols of Olympic Spirit to me.

Share stories, photos, excitement - let's keep the outside stuff out and enjoy the excitment and sport of the games.

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[done_got_old]

This ought to clear up a lot of questions. People have been asking me what happened this year so I decided to show you.

 

[bailadora]

What a great topic, Cate! A few stories that stand out in my mind:

The 1980 USA men's hockey team. I remember sitting with my dad in the front room as we watched this unfold and then screaming ourselves hoarse when the USA brought home the gold.

The 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona - when British runner Derek Redmond's hamstring snapped in the semi-finals round. He was determined to finish the race, despite the agony he was in. It was obvious he needed help and Derek's father made it past security onto the track to help his son make it to the finish line. I still tear up every time that clip is aired.

The 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta - when Keri Strug went for and landed a second go on the vault to secure the USA's women's team win in gymnastics.

ETA: While I love watching the games, some of the best stories are when we get the background info on all the athletes. I've always enjoyed the "human interest" portions of the stories.

 

[done_got_old]

For some reason I've had trouble getting into the spirit of the games this year. This is a first for me, so it's surprising. I haven't watched a single minute of the games. Perhaps today I'll change that.

 

[Cathleen]

Definitely tune in DGO, I've enjoyed so much of it. That video was mostly unwatchable but...

I saw some of the equestrian events today. A German man won the first individual gold in the jumping event since 1932. It was thrilling to watch him celebrate and the care he took of his horse. The German's won as a team.

Hinrich Romeike and Marius jump - beautiful horse.

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Adora, I am the same about the how the athletes arrived at the top of their sport. I just heard a quick line about one (figure all) of the Chinese gymnasts was taken from her family at age three to begin learning. They talk with their family about once a year and this particular little one said she wanted to come home. Her family said no, she had to continue, as they knew how it could change the lives of her family. I said out loud "What family?" That ticks me off. Some things I'd rather not know.

I can't believe Barcelona was '92, it seems like yesterday almost. There is always one athlete or team - like the 1980 Hockey Team - that stands out forever. They become the marker for that host city.

Having said that about the little Chinese girl I have to say seeing the faces on the men's team as they received their gold medal was a nice sight.


Watching the Synchronized Diving was like watching a mirror for both the men and women events. It was the really high platform -- no way would I even make it up there.

 

[Cathleen]

The Bird's Nest -- quite a creative structure. It's time for lots of track and field.

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[Cathleen]

New Zealand delegation dances it up in Olympic Village. It's a welcoming dance called Haka, it was performed as each Kiwi team arrived.

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[Cathleen]

Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Village.

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[Cathleen]

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[Cathleen]

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Australia breaks WR to win Women's 4 x 100m Medley Relay


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German Britta Steffen sets Olympic record to win Women's 50m Freestyle

Steffen clocked in an Olympic record of 24.06 seconds to beat the previous mark of 24.13 set up by Inge de Bruijn of the Netherlands on September 22, 2000.

American Dara Torres got the silver in 24.07 and Australian Cate Campbell finished third in 24.17.


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[Cathleen]

The prize for some:

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The prize for all ~ being an Olympic athlete.

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[bailadora]

Great posts, Cate! Thanks for the mini-updates. Sadly, I haven't been able to watch much of the games at all due to family commitments. But I did get to watch a bit of a new (to me) sport on Sunday when I was out to lunch with the kiddos. One of the sports channels was airing coverage of handball - which I had never heard of before. We got to see about 15 minutes of that before someone switched it to the women's rowing competition.

 

[Cathleen]

Too bad about not seeing much, I think it's been great but I'm kind of easy to please when it comes to the Olympics.




This is Matthias Steiner, he won two gold medals in weightlifting. The photo is of his wife, Susann, she was killed in a car accident last year. He wanted her to be with him, and he found his way.


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[bailadora]

Well, hell - make me cry, why dontcha!

 

[naamplao]

This ought to clear up a lot of questions. People have been asking me what happened this year so I decided to show you.

What a great video of sports bloopers! I especially liked the vigilante justice done to the cyclist who pushed a competitor into the stone wall.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[bailadora]

Despite all the hype surrounding the top contenders in each sport, the Olympic spirit (IMO) is NOT all about winning. Sometimes you've won just by showing up to compete. Such was the case for Samia Yusef Omar, from war-torn Somalia. Although she denies it, her story is truly inspiring.

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/be...ug=cr-somalirunners082408&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

 

[done_got_old]

Cathleen, I'm not trying to poke fun at your serious thread, but these were too good to pass up.

Olympic Pictures