The Olympics

So I've been really into watching the Olympics this time around. I've always enjoyed the olympics but, this year I actually look forward to seeing what events will be on that evening. My favorite has always been Gymnastics but this time I've come to appreciate all the diving, swimming, and beach volleyball.

It seems like people have been talking about the Olympics a lot this year, and it got me thinking, what other event attracts so much attention from the whole world?! I know this is not an original thought but, it's truly amazing the unity which emerges during these two weeks. It's pretty incredible that people from so many different countries, perspectives, religions, political parties, and dare I say "worldviews" are alongside one another for these few weeks. It truly is a good feeling to be a small part of it all, even if I am just watching from my couch thousands of miles away from the action.

I especially felt the rush of Olympic excitement last night when I watched Michael Phelps win his 10th Gold medal, giving him more than any other Olympic athlete in all of history! I have been immensely humbled by what Phelps, and other athletes have accomplished at such a young age. It's crazy to think that Phelps is just one year older than me, and the majority of the divers and gymnasts are much younger than me!

However strange it is, one of my favorite parts of watching the Olympics has been the Visa commercials narrated by Morgan Freeman. First of all, I love the man's voice, and would probably be touched by him talking about something as mundane as the ingredients of his breakfast cereal. Then, throw in the emotional photos in sepia tones, and it pushes me over the edge. But seriously, I think the commercials have a really neat message. I particularly enjoy the one about being human. I may not be getting these words exactly right, but after searching the internet, I could not find this commercial. Morgan Freeman says: "It's not the country they are from that make us cheer for them, but the fact that they are human, and we are human. When they succeed, we succeed." I think this is so true. Don't get me wrong, I love cheering for the athletes wearing red, white, and blue, but there's just something wonderful about seeing the white water rafting team from Togo win the country's first medal in olympic history! Maybe this is the reason that reality shows have come to dominate television, because however "real" we think it is, it portrays people who are just like us. We are people with flaws, who, every once in a while succeed in amazing ways, just like Michael Phelps did last night.

So if you haven't been keeping up with the Olympics, I would say jump on the bandwagon!! You won't regret it!