I think it's fair to say you must be living under a rock if you don't know about the Olympic games going on right now in Rio. The games began last week with the opening ceremony on August 5th, where 11,000 athletes from 206 delegations paraded around the Maracana Stadium, ready to compete the next day. Now, with less than a week left (the games officially come to a closing on August 21st), Team USA is stronger than ever, being the team with the most medals (66 as of Sunday afternoon). Whether this is brand new information to you, or you've been following the events, here are some thoughts I've had while watching that I'm sure you can somewhat relate to.
1. How is that possible?
The big "How" applies to basically any sport. How are they not tired? How can they jump that high? How do you even learn to do that? How is he/she smiling right now? How did that not hurt? The list is truly endless.
2. Aren't they exhausted?
The way most athletes perform their event effortlessly is beyond my understanding. Not only do they make it look easy, but they seem to never get tired even if they've been competing all day. I guess endurance really is a thing.
3. Am I too old to be an Olympic athlete?
Because wouldn't it be cool to have one of those shining circles hanging around your neck?
4. Definitely.
Yes, I am too old to be an Olympian. I even checked in with my parents, just to make sure. Apparently I should have started being serious about a specific sport when I was younger. It doesn't help that I'm very, very bad at sports in general.
5. Should I get off the couch now?
As I lay on the couch and watch athletes push their bodies to the limits and break world records, I can't help but feel lazy. Though let's face it, what else am I going to do until school starts.
6. Maybe I should try that later.
Of course later rarely comes, but watching all these different sports is very inspiring. It makes me want to get out there and try new things.
7. That looks like a fun sport.
There are certain sports I knew existed but never really paid attention to. Beach volleyball is one of them, for example. It looks really fun and once I started watching the matches I got really into it. Diving is also super cool, especially when synchronized. Then there are sports like table tennis, or archery, or shooting that I never thought as Olympic sports yet they're up there with the more common sports like swimming and gymnastics.
8. What am I doing with my life?
When girls and guys your age are winning medal after medal, in some cases not for the first time, it makes you question things. For example, how have I accomplished nothing?
9. Where do they keep all their medals?
Do they hang them over the bed, frame them, put them in a glass container on display, or do they go to the attic? I can't help but wonder.
10. Is he/she even human?
How else can you explain how they're doing what they're doing?
11. Badass.
I can't do any of what they're doing, so in my eyes that makes them really, really cool.
12. Would I be able to handle all that pressure?
The answer is simple, probably not. I can't even imagine what goes through the athletes minds as they are giving it their all, to pursue a dream they've had all their lives. The fact that they can stay cool and collected is very admirable.
13. I want to go to Rio.
As someone who loves traveling and discovering new places, seeing the beautiful landscapes of Rio de Janeiro makes me want to go there eventually. Plus, there is something fascinating about the Brazilian culture and I'm so glad we get to see some of it through these games.
Jokes aside, one of the main reasons why I enjoy watching the Olympics so much, despite the fact that I'm not a big sports fanatic, is because I admire the athletes so much. I love seeing the hard work and dedication they put in their sport, and I love seeing it all pay off.
