Top 10 Reasons I Love the Summer Olympics

Top Ten Tuesday


Top Ten Tuesday
 is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish that asks bloggers to create Top Ten lists on a variety of bookish topics. This week’s topic is Top 10 Reasons I Love X.

For those of you who don’t know, I’m obsessed with the Olympics…particularly the Summer ones. The 2016 Rio Olympics are coming this August and I’ll have a couple of Olympics-themed posts around that time. In the meantime, I thought I’d give you a little preview of why I love the Olympics enough to write multiple blog posts about them. Plus, writing this post gave me a valid reason to go down the Olympics Internet rabbit hole!

Top 10 Reasons I Love the Summer Olympics


They get you to (temporarily) care about sports you don’t normally care about…
For me, it’s Beach Volleyball, Kayaking, Diving and Track & Field.

Certain moments stick in your head forever…
Like the moment legendary American diver Greg Louganis hit his head on the 3 meter springboard at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.

You see history being made…
Like seeing the Men’s 4×100 Medley Relay win gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics to clinch Michael Phelps’ 8th gold medal, surpassing Mark Spitz for the most gold medals in a single Olympics.

You get swept up in the emotion…
Like watching Jason Lezak overcome a seemingly insurmountable deficit in the final leg of the men’s 4×100 Freestyle relay at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in a bar on Long Island, with a horde of other people who didn’t care at all about swimming. The entire bar was laser-focused on the TV, screaming their heads off for Lezak to catch the heavily favored Frenchman (Alain Bernard, the 100 Freestyle individual event gold medalist).

There is unintentional comedy…
“YOU CAN DO IT, KERRI!”

You get to make fun of the United States’ latest attempt at attractive Opening Ceremony uniforms…

U.S. Olympic Uniforms 2016
Photo Credit: Instagram/Ralph Lauren


Unknown athletes become big stories…
Eric Moussambani of Equitorial Guinea swam the 100 meter freestyle in the 2000 Sydney Olympics after learning to swim just months before the Games and never having seen an Olympic size pool before. Though he finished more than a full minute behind the eventual gold medalist, he became a media sensation, earning the nickname “Eric the Eel”.

Like during March Madness, anything can happen…
The U.S. women’s swim team hadn’t won a single gold medal in the 1976 Montreal Olympics (because all the medals were being won by doped up Eastern Europeans) until their final shot in the 4×100 Freestyle relay, where they upset the favored (and cheating) East Germans. And, coincidentally, a documentary called The Last Gold covering this story is premiering this week!

Sports that normally don’t get attention take center stage…
Swimming, Gymnastics, Track & Field

There are hot people…

swimmer Ryan Lochte
U.S. Swimmer Ryan Lochte (2004, 2008, 2012, and hopefully 2016)

 

Retired Russian swimmer Alexander Popov (1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004)
Retired Russian Swimmer Alexander Popov (1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004)

 

Hurdler Lolo Jones
U.S. Hurdler (and Bobsledder!) LoLo Jones (2008, 2012, 2014, and hopefully 2016)

 

Serbian Tennis Player Ana Ivanovic (2008, 2012, 2016)
Serbian Tennis Player Ana Ivanovic (2008, 2012, 2016)




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45 Comments

  1. I’m that one person who doesn’t care for the Olympics now that it’s become a venue for professional athletes.

    Posted 6.7.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Yes, but for many of the sports in the Olympics (not the “real” pro ones like basketball, tennis, etc), being a pro is nothing like being a pro basketball player, football player, etc. They make a fraction of the money, get a fraction of the attention, and the Olympics is still by far their most important competition. Sports like swimming, gymnastics, track & field. Unless you’re Michael Phelps or Missy Franklin, your “pro” earnings generally just cover your training and competition expenses.

      Posted 6.7.16 Reply
  2. You got that right. The Summer Olympics bring to the spotlight sports most people don’t care about during the previous four years.

    Posted 6.7.16 Reply
  3. I LOVE the Summer Olympics. These games are HUGE in many countries. I look forward to it just as much as I look forward to the World Cup. I seriously can’t wait.

    Posted 6.7.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Yay – love finding other fans! And interesting that they’re so much bigger in other countries than in the U.S. I didn’t realize that.

      Posted 6.7.16 Reply
  4. I was never really a huge fan of the Summer Olympics until I was a volunteer at the London 2012 Games – suddenly I have new found appreciation for diving and synchronised swimming! I’m all about the Euros at the moment but I’m sure once they’re over I’m sure I’ll be on the hype train for the Olympics 🙂
    My Top Ten Tuesday all about my favourite character

    Posted 6.7.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      How cool! Did you work the diving and/or snychro events? I volunteered in Sydney 2000 for an outside organization that had a presence at the Games. Was amazing to be there in person and definitely gets you into the atmosphere!

      Posted 6.7.16 Reply
  5. Sarah wrote:

    Ahhh! You brought back so many memories! I was obsessed with the Olympics as a kid, but I was pregnant with my 1st child in 2008 and busy with our second, who was an infant in 2012, so I feel like those passed right by me. Now that my children are 7 and 4, I think we’ll be able to watch as a family, and I’m really looking forward to it.

    I so remember when Greg Louganis hit his head. The whole time before that, my mom, a professional worrywart, kept saying, “He’s going to hit his head” over and over. We kept rolling our eyes, and then sure enough, she was right!

    Posted 6.7.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      It’s so hard to watch with little kids, right?! I sort of have to limit myself to the night prime times b/c my kids are 3 and 5. Looking forward to 2020 when my kids are 9 and 7!

      Posted 6.7.16 Reply
  6. Andi wrote:

    For most of the year(s) the Olympics don’t hold any particular sway for me, but BOY HOWDY, when they’re actually on I get sucked in immediately. I end up crying over those touching personal stories from athletes of all sports. I’m especially fond of the gymnastics, diving, swimming, and now track and field!

    Posted 6.7.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      OMG – I’m such a sucker for all the fluff stories! We’ll have to keep in contact while they’re on!

      Posted 6.7.16 Reply
  7. JJ wrote:

    I love the Olympics! It was so great when they were in London and I got to go, it was so much fun!
    My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2016/06/07/top-ten-tuesday-60/

    Posted 6.7.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      That’s so awesome you got to go! They’re even more amazing in person (I went to Sydney 2000)!

      Posted 6.7.16 Reply
  8. Oh I definitely love becoming incredibly invested in sports that I have no idea any of the rules or how they work. Although I’m still incredibly bitter that softball is out and keep saying silent little prayers that they bring it back for 2020 (apparently there’s a small chance lol).

    Posted 6.7.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      That is such a shame, right?! I remember when Jennie Finch and company did so well!

      Posted 6.7.16 Reply
  9. Meaghan wrote:

    I love both Olympics — perhaps the Winter ones just a little bit more because I was a figure skater. I’m also OBSESSED with curling and the Olympics is one time I actually get to see it on TV. 🙂

    Posted 6.7.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      So cool you were a figure skater! I was a swimmer, which makes me partial to the summer ones, but figure skating was my favorite winter event when I was a child.

      Posted 6.7.16 Reply
  10. Hahah I so agree about being temporarily interested in sports. When it starts I am glued to the TV for swimming and diving, and the second it’s over you wouldn’t catch me watching any sort of sport. They are so fun to watch though, I’ve excited about this year’s assuming things manage to come together

    Posted 6.7.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I love sports all year around, but get temp interested in some particular ones at Olympics time. I love the swimming and diving too!

      Posted 6.7.16 Reply
  11. carrie wrote:

    LOVE this post Sarah and I completely echo all these thoughts. I remember a few winter olympics ago when Bode Miller was all the rage. I had (of course) never really heard of him, but he was getting all this press going into the olympics I read up on him and was cheering for him the whole games. It’s nice for some of the sports that are not “common” sports to get some attention.

    Posted 6.7.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I remember that…and wasn’t he big in 2014 too for a comeback?!

      Posted 6.7.16 Reply
  12. Lindsay wrote:

    What a fun post! The Olympics really are a unique viewing experience — especially because, like you said, the entire country is raptly watching sports we don’t normally follow! We’ll definitely watch the summer games, but I’m more of an Winter Olympics girl myself. That goes back to being in second grade watching the 1992 Olympics and deciding I wanted to be a figure skater, which I translated to (now hilarious-to-watch) choreographed routines on my rollerblades!

    Posted 6.7.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      HA! That’s awesome! Who were the big skaters in 1992? Was that Michelle Kwan?

      Posted 6.7.16 Reply
  13. Tara wrote:

    Sarah, it doesn’t look like they have plans to show the film in Little Rock, at least not anytime soon; I’d love to see it! Um, so you might also look up an upcoming film called Tracktown; elite runner Alexi Pappas (she lives in the US but will represent Greece in Rio this summer) has written and co-directed this film and we’re screening it at the Trials. I think it’s going to be really good. That moment with Greg Louganis – I’ll never forget it. I’m so excited for the games this year!

    Posted 6.7.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I’ll check out Tracktown! I love most any kind of doc like that! You must keep the updates flowing on Instagram and Twitter while you’re at Trials!

      Posted 6.7.16 Reply
  14. I love the summer Olympics and usually have the t.v. on the entire time I’m home. I remember when they were on while I school was out for summer, and I could watch 24/7, but now they’re on after my school year has started. Blasted school calendar. The excitement is so contagious!

    Posted 6.7.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      How annoying! And your school starts super early!

      Posted 6.7.16 Reply
  15. Yes… exactly!! I’ve always loved the Olympics and you’ve put many of the reasons into words.

    Posted 6.7.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Yay – love coming across fellow Olympics fans!

      Posted 6.7.16 Reply
  16. Catherine wrote:

    I’m with you on this- summer Olympics are way more interesting. What do you think about the Brazil controversies- Zika virus etc?

    And I’m old enough to remember Mark Spitz. I had such a crush on him.

    Posted 6.7.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I think it’s a total shame and a terrible choice to have to make especially for women…dream of having kids or dream of Olympic medals that they’ve likely been working towards their entire lives. I also think the IOC should be a bit more pragmatic in how they choose host cities (i.e. not having the biggest bribe be the defining criteria).

      Posted 6.7.16 Reply
  17. Kelly wrote:

    You know where I stand on this 😉 Ever since I went to the Atlanta Olympics in 96 I have been a total Olympics fiend!!! Can’t wait! 🙂

    Posted 6.7.16 Reply
  18. I’m totally with you on the first one — I love getting really, really into sports that I otherwise don’t care about at all (or wouldn’t even know how to watch). A few Olympics ago I was hardcore into beach volleyball, and I love gymnastics. I also weirdly love rowing, when I get a chance to watch. So fun!

    Posted 6.7.16 Reply
  19. Heather wrote:

    I watch for the horses and to growl at the announcers who call it “Equestrian”. That’s a freaking adjective people, not a noun! Nowhere else on Earth at any other event is it ever called “Equestrian.” Equestrian events, maybe. Adjective!

    I like synchronized swimming too.

    Posted 6.7.16 Reply
  20. I enjoy watching the Olympics, but I’m not an Olympics junkie! My kids all do Taekwondo, and their master has been talking to them about Taekwondo in the Olympics. We are looking forward to watching the Olympic TKD now!

    Posted 6.8.16 Reply
  21. Gabby wrote:

    I’m one of those weirdos that love the Winter Olympics the most (figure skating is my all-time favorite Olympic sport) but I can’t wait to watch the gymnastics and diving!

    Posted 6.8.16 Reply
  22. I also quit watching the Olympics after they let professionals participate. Pros have their own Super Bowls etc. I don’t think they should be in the Games

    My TTT list

    Posted 6.9.16 Reply
  23. Michelle wrote:

    I do love the Olympics too. I just wish the athletes got paid more. I know they are “professionals,” but I just read an article on how poor most of them are – so poor they have to sell their medals to buy food or pay rent. There should be more told about that!

    Posted 6.10.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Absolutely! There are a few stars who rake it in, but most Olympians are scraping by just to make ends meet. Exactly why some of the other comments on this post about not watching since the Olympics has let “pros” in don’t really make much sense if you’re talking about sports other than basketball, tennis, and soccer…and I guess now golf.

      Posted 6.11.16 Reply
  24. Trish wrote:

    LOOOOOOOOOOOVE watching the Olympics! I can remember watching since I was young and it’s always been something I look forward to–and I love that they’re not every two years (I say this like it’s a new development…guess it has been 20 years).

    And I had to snort at your comment about the outfits. With those open button shirts, they look like they’ve gone about 20 years into the past. LOL!

    Posted 6.10.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Yay! And – they’re terrible, right?! The sad part is they’re terrible every since time around…

      Posted 6.11.16 Reply
  25. Emily wrote:

    I love love love the Olympics, and reading this lovely post has gotten me even more excited for the games this summer! My heart belongs to gymnastics, but I also love watching all of the swimming events and women’s beach volleyball (I’m sad we don’t get to see Kerri & Misty together this year – but I’ll be rooting for Kerri and April). There’s something about just the SOUND of the Olympics on the TV that takes me back to my childhood summers.

    I look forward to your upcoming Olympics themed posts!

    Posted 6.11.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      The sound – YES! I saw my first Rio commercial the other day and the music was on and it totally brought memories flooding back. It’s sort of like the NFL music…like a background soundtrack of my childhood.

      And looking forward to Kerri and her new partner too…hope they can do as well as she and Misty did!

      Posted 6.11.16 Reply
  26. I’m a HUGE Olympics fan as well. I often have people over for the opening ceremony to get in the spirit of the games. I know some people who live in Brazil, and I’ve heard so much behind-the-scenes type of info this time around, making me even more excited!

    Posted 6.11.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Oooh – I love behind the scenes info…anything you can spill?!!

      Posted 6.11.16 Reply

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