Olympics from the Couch

It's that time again. Every two years, first in the summer and then in mid-winter, sports figures fill the TV screen, and the phone screen, and the IPad, some streaming live feeds, others playbacks of events of the 30th Summer Olympiad.

Where my mind might never bring to mind rowing, badminton, boxing, archery or beach volleyball (to name a few) during the four years between summer games, suddenly I am not only watching these sports but am becoming an expert in their history, the players' bios, and receiving a renewed education of the ever-changing geography of the world.

Some countries have hundreds of athletes; others a few; a few just one. 

Some parade around the Opening Ceremonies in native dress of their countries. Others in designer duds, but all in the colors of their countries' flag.

I am again, as I am nearly every two years, appalled and incredulous regarding the commentaries that accompanying the games and even more so with the interviews of the athletes. One commentator asked an athlete who had just won a silver medal why she thought she hadn't gotten gold. An interview with a boxer offered this snippet, "Well, I just trained hard and kept hitting him until I found my pace."  Another boxer who "came to the ring through thunderous applause" was soon seen kissing the mat.

Another asked an obviously stunned loser what had happened. What had happened was that he lost. (I suppose I would not make a very good interviewee. I would be using the "Doh!" word way too often).

Another asked a swimmer what it would take for her to take home the gold. Doh! It would take her to swim faster than anyone else in the pool at that time.

I watched the road race (biking) like I watch NASCAR; it became interesting only when there was a spill and bikes and riders slid across the road knocking down everything in their path like bowling pins. Now that was worth watching. I was interested in seeing the women's road race because there was a horrific storm coming at them and I figured good TV was about to happen, but I had to get to church so I missed all the fun of the rain and wind.

That's enough for now about the games. Tonight there will be more foil (fencing) replays, men's soccer (although I already know the outcome since I have three apps on my phone for Olympic results and live streaming), and ping pong. I wonder what might have happened if my parents had purchased me a javelin instead of a clarinet.

We'll never know.

And that's what I think about it.