Skip to main content

Olympics 2016: Diversity and Dominance Ruling Week 1


For some reason, the Olympics have taken my attention by storm. The event sort of crept up on me without much anticipation, but has become a mainstay on my nightly television despite some self-sabotaging efforts from NBC. More on that in a bit. Regardless, here are some quick takeaways from the first week of action.

 - How freakin' amazing is Michael Phelps? At the point of this writing, Phelps sits at 22 Gold Medals (26 overall). Let me say that again, that's twenty-two freakin' gold medals! One is a major accomplishment for any athlete. Two is extraordinary. Mmmmmm, we can say four is legendary. Phelps has twenty two. Twenty flippin two! 

The more you watch Phelps in his races, and the metal focus he embodies that comes before his races (see: #PhelpsFace), the more I realize how lucky we are to witness this era of sheer Olympic dominance. Amazing stuff. 


- Staying with swimming, Katie Ledecky is just as amazing, right? It's like she has become this Olympic's version of Missy Franklin. By the way, what's up with Franklin? Yikes. 

- I'm going to be honest, I don't know much about Gymnastics. Quite frankly, I always cringe when I hear the commentators criticize small infractions and magnify the intimacies of the sport. To me, it's all amazing. Even more so when my exercise science background is used as a lens for my viewpoint. These athletes are unreal, especially the United States women's team, aka The Final Five, who do are the epitome of hard work and exceptional God-given talent. 

Despite their dominance, I am more in awe and appreciation of the diversity of the group. It's a great representation of what should be an example of the potential strength of our country if social justice were not a thorn in our existence and history as a nation. 

- Speaking of diversity, kudos to Simone Manuel. She is now the first black swimmer to ever medal in the Olympics for the United States. An absolutely awesome accomplishment. In my view, the biggest and most wide reaching moment of the Olympics yet. 


Between the Final Five and Simone Manuel, little girls everywhere, of all types of intersectionalities and backgrounds, especially those of color, have real examples of what is now possible, and undoubtedly, will be inspired. 

- Disappointed in the United States women's soccer team. Let's leave it at that. 

- Finally, what's with the NBC coverage of the Olympics? The coverage just seems all over the place in terms of presentation. Why would NBC air the fantastic performance of the Final Five at 10:30pm? Wouldn't that be something little girls would love to see? And I understand where I live, and all of that "Go USA" spirit, but can we equally present athletes of other countries? 

I don't know. I just feel that in a world of in-demand television and the far lengths networks go in presenting sporting events and leagues - cough*NFL*cough - more can be done to bring us the events, games, and stories involved in the Olympics. 
Labels:

Recently Read

Quick Ponder: Future Self

We always think,  what would we say  to our  younger self? However,  what would  our younger self say  if they met us, today?
Read more

Knicks Trauma - Ugh Not Again

Well, that was a kick in the stomach.  Coming off a week where the word "catharsis" was used as the description for the euphoria and release of joy from two and a half decades of suffering, Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers brought about another word - trauma.  Watching the Knicks collapse was the kind of moments that come with these deep runs and moments. NBA Playoff basketball will do that. Yet, this loss - this one - feels about as bad as the 2004 ALCS when the Yankees collapsed in the series to the Boston Red Sox.  That one carries some serious trauma. Luckily, the series isn't over.  Some other quick thoughts from this awful, awful night, New York Knicks Basketball.  - Not to conjure up hyperbole, or even contribute to "hot take" sports reaction culture - but this might have been the worst loss in Knicks franchise history. I cannot think of another in my lifetime, or historically.  - Tyrese Haliburton's "choke"...
Read more

Knicks Back in ECF Causing Catharsis

I've certainly shared my emotions and thoughts regarding the New York Knicks on this site over the years. There have been plenty of those to sort through - most of them are rants. Tonight, the New York Knicks ultimately destroyed the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, 119-81. I sat on my couch, afraid to allow myself to feel joy until that final buzzer. As a Knicks fan, I've been through too much to allow myself to do anything else, to make any assumption, until it was final. Until it was confirmed. Until something couldn't fall through...the way we're used to.  Once it was final, it was unreal.  The New York Knicks are in the Eastern Conference Finals. For the first time since 2000.  I was 15 years old the last time that happened. And that was a run with a squad that I consider (still) to be my favorite Knicks team of all-time.  I sat on my couch with all sorts of feelings. My wife was likely trying to understand the moment. My son, exci...
Read more