Since the Rio Olympics has come to a close, there were many events to discuss: Ryan Lochte’s drunken excursions, Simone Biles’ kiss from Zac Efron, or the overall dominance by Team USA. Even if some athletes did not compete to their usual level (i.e., Tom Daley not making the final of the men’s 10m platform diving final for Great Britain), everyone got to see the uber-fit participants from their respective countries battle it out for the coveted gold medal.

These athletes have been training their whole lives for a chance to be in the Olympic games, and even if it is their first game or their fifth, they will all be just as motivated for the opportunity to stand on that podium. Maybe I am biased, but seeing Michael Phelps win his 28^th medal over five Olympics was one of the most inspiring moments I have witnessed on television. I felt like I could do anything after watching the lean and lank 31-year-old beat swimmers that were half his age! Also, seeing Boomer Phelps in the stands watching his daddy swimming his heart out wasn’t too bad either :)

Doesn’t this just make your heart melt?

I completely forgot to mention the fabulous and amazing women’s US gymnastics team, who gave coach Márta Károlyi a wonderful end to her coaching career by naming the quintet the Final Five (how cute!) If I had to pick my favorite sport in an Olympics, it would definitely be gymnastics. I have never been a gymnast, but watching athletes as young as 13 throw themselves in the air and do such amazing flips and tricks is beyond exciting to watch.

"We are the FINAL FIVE!”

This year’s USA women gymnastic team featured Simone Biles, who received 5 Olympic medals, which included 4 gold medals. The one medal she did not receive gold was on the balance beam event final, where Laurie Hernandez proved herself by winning the silver medal. I bet Lin-Manuel Miranda and all Puerto Ricans watching this year’s games (including myself) were very proud of the way Hernandez competed.

YAS LAURIE YOU GO GIRL!

Although Team USA seemed to dominate throughout the entire Rio games, the men’s track and field team was not as lucky, since this year’s 4x100m relay disqualification equaled the ninth time that the men’s USA track and field relay team has been disqualified in an Olympic games or World Championship. Track and field was an aspect dominated by Usain Bolt, who lived up to his expectations by completing the “triple triple”: winning the gold medal in three different events in three consecutive Olympics (100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay).

I have the worst luck ever...

Whether you watched the Rio games all day, every day and spent much of the two weeks in front of the TV (like me), or you are not even sure who Simone Biles is, everyone can be proud of Team USA. No matter what, the team proved to the world that they are a strong unit that can withstand almost any obstacles, even when facing the rest of the best athletes from all around the world.