Them's the Rules

As I have proclaimed on more than one occasion I LOVE the Olympics! It is an enduring fantasy of mine to be an Olympian, to raise an Olympian.. shoot to know an Olympian.. I love everything about the Olympics including the glaring mistakes that have created legends..

What I don't understand is how people can compete in something, then get upset because the rules don't suit them. Oh sure, there are things that should be changed but you can't be whining about it during the competition.. at least not during the competition when the rules don't favor you.

I am speaking of course of Jordan Weiber's coach.. NOT Jordan Weiber, while she was clearly devastated she was a wonderful good sport supporting her team mate when obviously all she wanted to do was crawl into a hole and cry.

For those of you who don't know.. Jordan Weiber was the favored going into the Olympics, to win the women's all round gymnastics gold medal. Sadly, due to a rather interesting rule, she didn't make the cut. Gymnastics rules say only two members from each team can go into the all round competition. Jordan came in third for the US.. which would be upsetting but not cause such an uproar had she not had the FOURTH best score over all.. I can hear the wheels spinning now.. she was robbed.. she should be in. Well she wasn't robbed she was outdone. Her team mates put in a better performance. She made critical mistakes and yes she was probably underscored. Sadly, that too is gymnastics. At first I felt pretty bad for her and yes felt she was robbed. Then I started listening..

Jordan was a class act.. she congratulated her team mates.. said all the right things when her heart must have been breaking but she still showed an impeccable sense of sportsmanship.

The rules are not new ones.. they have been in effect for a while.

Other sports have similar rules, just think in swimming only two people from each country can make it onto the Olympic team. Same things right? Well not exactly, once they get here both get to compete for a chance at winning the gold..

The thing is it's devastating.. but how would everyone be reacting if Jordan had won the place to compete and Aly had not? Would everyone be saying poor Aly? Or would they say.. sure just what we expected? Would Aly have been "robbed" under the exact same circumstances? I don't think so..

I hate whiners.. there are rules, accept them or don't play the sport.

Again this is not about Jordan Weiber, she was a classy young lady and I can only hope that my children would behave similarly. But those who are shouting foul need to shut up!

Mark Spitz, Who can forget?

Do you remember this? Watching Mark Spitz win his 7th medal was one of my where were you moments.. I remember how hyped up we all were.. and the Munich Olympics were in September so we were back in school.. We weren't really allowed to stay up late on normal occasions but this was the Olympics!! We were all set.. I lay on the carpet in front of our console TV (my favorite viewing spot) and waited.. and waited.. Gradually my eyes closed and I fell asleep. Next thing my ten year old self knew my dad was waking me up so I wouldn't miss it.. It was such an awesome moment.

Yahoo Sports has a wonderful article on this.. click HERE if you are interested

What is your first Olympic Memory? This was mine

I was six and this has to be one of the most enduring memories of the Olympics and it was my first.. What was yours?

The Olympic Torch

 

This image made available by LOCOG shows US Olympian sprinter torchbearer Michael Johnson holding the Olympic Flame at Stonehenge, England, Thursday, July 12, 2012. Johnson, who won four Olympic gold medals and eight world championship gold medals, currently holds the world and Olympic records in the 400m and 4 x 400 meters relay. The Olympic Torch is being carried around England in a relay of Torchbearers to make its way to the London 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony. (AP Photo/Danny Lawson, LOCOG)

Is this a cool picture or what?

Counting Down

Six days to the Olympics!! I am so excited! I love the Olympics from the first parade of nations until the torch is extinguished.. each moment has so much potential. In our house the TV goes on for the opening ceremony and isn't turned off until the last memory is made!!

Over the next couple of days I will be discussing my favorite memories.. but for today I just want to say.. The OLYMPICS ARE COMING!!

Happy 4th of July to All..

For those of you from other countries.. have a blessed day.. think of today as celebrating a friend's birthday.. For my American Friends.. Remember who we are and what we stand for..

Support is an Amazing Thing

As I have posted on the past couple of days.. I am seriously considering taking a walk.. What surprises me is the amount of support that I have received.

I thought this was at best a hair brained half baked idea.. but instead I have friends lining up to help me.. To get me to the track so I can get some basic walking in.. To offer me suggestions about the trip, where to stop, how to make it work.. why it would be good for me. Sheesh I thought this was a totally insane concept.. something to joke about, dream about, whatever but the more I discuss it.. the more it seems like a go.

So.. if you are interested.. I will be slowly turning this blog into a walk my weight off blog.. at least for the next year.. Sure I may discuss other stuff but for the most part you will be walking with me.. learning about the journey..

Shauni