I am on the edge of my seat as I watch the Women's Beach Volleyball semifinals match tonight. Last night I was running the hurdles with Women's Track and Field and vaulting with the Ladies Gymnastics teams. Yes I was out of my league but a woman can dream.
When I was growing up my main focus was figure skating. I never thought about the Olympics because I knew it took both money, hard work and support from a team of individuals. Every four years when the Winter Olympics would roll around I would do school figures (yes they had them back then) on the living room rug and then would do my short program and long program right along with the likes of Dorothy Hamill and all the other participants. The summer games usually wasn't on my radar.
During the time of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, David and I took that time to get married and take our honeymoon to Hawaii. We figured it would be a traffic nightmare for work and we were probably right. Now looking back I wish I would have maybe attended some events since it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Guess my mind wasn't thinking about it.
For the past 12 days I have been glued to the television watching many of the events. I truly enjoy all the exciting competition between everyone involved. I also am touched by all the back stories they include. From the many athletes that have been in multiple games either due to win after win or missing the medals and coming back to avenge the lose with a hope for a win. It has all been inspiring.
Names like Phelps, Franklin, May/Walsh, it doesn't matter if you are 15 or 40 age doesn't seem to matter this time around. For the South African double-amputee in track who made the finals in the 400 meters being a first in your field to even participate in the Olympics must be exciting.
More women than men participating this time is also inspiring. Especially in countries that normally don't allow women to compete shows that society is willing to make changes for the better.
With only 5 more days of events I will continue to watch, cheer, cry and live vicariously through all the wonderful athletes that will inspire young and old for years to come.
