Some of the highlights that I have on these Olympic games so far include without question, the AMAZING Miss Gabby Douglas. She is the first African-American woman to win an Individual All-Around Gymnastics gold medal and she has done US proud. At only 16 years of age, she has exhibited such maturity, poise, sportsmanship, humility, and poise during these events. She has truly been an inspiration and a joy to watch! And anyone commenting on her hair needs to get a grip on the fact that the "crab mentality" has got to stop if we, as Black Americans, will ever succeed as a people. Shameful how we as black women criticize other black women on something so trivial and superficial. It disgusts me.
Another highlight for me was reading how each of the US Men's Basketball players individually hugged, First Lady Michelle Obama after their first game of the Olympics. I started to tear up a little while reading about it at work. It made me proud of them, even though at times I have disliked much of the arrogance and cockiness that a few of those men have exhibited in the past. In a time when so many Americans disrespect President Obama, his lovely wife, and his position, it made me happy to see Michelle Obama get the acknowledgement and respect that she so much deserves.
I'd be remiss if I failed to mention Serena Williams finally winning the gold medal in singles tennis these Olympic games. Her gold medal final match against Anna Kournikova was amazing! I had never watched a full tennis match from start to finish before that match because I always thought that tennis was boring, but there was nothing boring about that match! Serena was awesome! I always knew she was the best, but now I KNOW that she's the best!
Also, much respect goes out to Michael Phelps for ending his swimming career winning 22 medals, 18 of which are gold, breaking the record for athlete with the most medals of all time. That is amazing! What an achievement! He is truly impressive and worthy of recognition.
Another memorable moment of these Olympic Games was when South African double amputee, Oscar Pistorius was allowed to compete against able-bodied athletes in the Mens 400 meter. I'm so happy that he was allowed to do this, despite all of the controversy surrounding his being allowed to compete with critics claiming that he had an unfair advantage. I kind of understand their point of view, but how can someone without legs have an unfair advantage? Moreover, I'm truly proud of Gold medalist from Granada, Kirani James who not only won the first Olympic medal ever for the country of Granada, but also exhibited much sportsmanship and respect by trading name tags with Pistorius after the event was over. I LOVED THAT!
That's what the Olympic games are all about. Representing your country and achieving the highest honor bestowed upon an athlete, while showing appreciation and sportsmanship for fellow athletes from all over the world. That's what has made these Olympic games so great for me to watch. I love the comradery that is displayed among the champions. The hugs, handshakes, and exchanges that are shared between the athletes. The games have also heightened my patriotism tenfold! The United States of America has a lot of issues. Financial, racial, issues with poverty, crime, greed, and hatred. But for the 17 days during the Olympics, we are all united, rooting for our own, proud of their achievements, and proud of ourselves. It truly must be an amazing feeling to represent your country and win gold.
So as for the remorse... When I was younger, I used to watch the Olympics and fantasize about one day being an Olympic Athlete. When I watched the gymnastics, I imagined myself as a gymnast. When I watched the track and field events, I pictured myself as a long jumper or doing hurdles. When I watched the synchronized swimming, I wanted to be one of them and tried to understand how I'd be able to hold my breath long enough under water in order to maneuver the dancing above the edge of the water. The first Olympics that I vividly remember watching was the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. I was 9 years old and watched the Olympics while visiting my Great Uncle Mack in Flint, Michigan. I remember watching and dreaming at the same time.
Now, here I am at age 29, a full 20 years later. Good grief! That's crazy. It doesn't feel that long ago, and yet at the same time it does. I've completed elementary school, high school, college, and grad school since then. I have worked multiple jobs and been in love several times since then. From a girl to a woman: 20 years. Now while watching these Olympic games in London, I have found myself no longer dreaming, no longer fantasizing and visualizing myself on the podium being presented a gold medal, hearing the National Anthem played in the background, while the American flag blows in the wind. No, now I'm watching these games seeing all of these young, talented, athletic people living my dreams for me, and more importantly living out their dreams before the entire world. Remorseful that I stopped doing gymnastics in elementary school. Saddened, I didn't try out for track in high school. But such is life. We all have our destinies, and I'm still figuring out what mine is and waiting for it to unfold. These wonderful athletes are fulfilling their destinies.
It makes me wonder what makes an Olympic athlete? Apparently, a lot of time, effort, perseverance, hard work, dedication, MONEY, and support from family and friends. An Olympian doesn't become one overnight. That becomes apparent when you see the childhood pictures of a Michael Phelps or Gabby Douglas, training in their prospective sport.
So here we are, at the end of the 12th day of the Games of the XXX Olympiad, and these are all of my thoughts and emotions surrounding this year's games. And they're not over yet.
