6 Observations for the Olympic Fans of the Day
The 2024 Summer Olympics kicked off over the weekend in France, giving sports fans everywhere a heavy dose of events. As I’ve grown older, the importance of the event has diminished, at least I thought. Every waking moment that isn’t occupied by something else has now been directed to random Olympic sports I wouldn’t otherwise watch. Here are a few observations from the first few days of competition across the pond.
Rowdy Gaines Lives Up to His Name
I want my kids to follow their dreams. Best case scenario, those dreams don’t include competitive swimming. The training is demanding and the results from such are minuscule. From a spectator’s standpoint, I can think of much more entertaining ways to watch my child compete than spending all day by a hot pool, only for them to swim twice for about a minute at a time.
This Average Joe American sports fan is indifferent to the sport of swimming until Rowdy Gaines injects unfiltered enthusiasm into the NBC broadcast. He’s the Dick Vitale of the sport. Nobody loves swimming more than the three-time gold medalist. You could feel the energy in the final moments of the men’s 100m breaststroke when Italy’s Nicolo Martinenghi touched the wall just .02 ahead of Adam Peaty and Team USA’s Nic Fink, who both tied for a silver medal. Upon further review, I still can’t tell who touched the wall first. It was an incredible Olympic moment, amplified by the energy from Rowdy Gaines.
How is Sunni Lee doing this?
I admittedly was not following along with Sunni Lee’s career at Auburn too much after she won a gold in the all-around following Simone Biles’ departure from Tokyo in 2021. Typically, I prefer skipping through the NBC puff pieces ahead of the competition, but I’m glad I saw this profile on Lee.
The American gymnast gained 45 pounds in less than two weeks. That’s mind-blowing. I will not guess the gymnast’s weight prior to the discovery of multiple kidney diseases, but that’s gotta be around a third of her previous body weight. Despite this major setback that required months of recovery, she was able to return to form and compete in the all-around final. I’m awestruck at Lee’s perseverance. Her determination embodies the Olympic spirit.
Lee Kiefer is in Elite Company
For the second time in three years, Lexington native Lee Kiefer has won gold in women’s foil fencing. Kiefer is one of only two American fencers with two individual Olympic gold medals. There have only been two other women to claim multiple gold medals in the event. She’s in an exclusive company back home too. Only two other Kentuckians have multiple Olympic gold medals and none of them stood on a podium in the last 100 years. Lee Kiefer is ELITE.
Rugby is having a Moment at the Olympics
I’m starving for football this time of the year and rugby is quenching that thirst for action on the gridiron. A lot of it is thanks to Ilona Maher’s stiff-arm that sent shockwaves around the world. The American is a bonafide badass in more ways than one.
Aside from her play, I’ve enjoyed the matches even though I don’t completely comprehend all of the rules. A try (touchdown) is worth five points and the PAT is worth two, making it easy for this football fan to understand. It looks like a backyard tackle football game, just without the stoppage to snap the football, and the matches fly by. Rugby, you’re pretty fun. Keep having these fun moments and we’ll stick around to watch more often.
Olympic Boxing is so much better without Headgear
It’s been a few Olympics since they abandoned the headgear, but I was surprised to see a Belgium boxer enter the match with his arms at his side, dodging punches without headgear. When they wore the protective foam helmet, it was difficult to discern who was winning. Not anymore. The quick matches make this the most fun form of combat sport on the market.
Olympic Equestrian at Versailles is Awesome
You’d be hard-pressed to find a more picturesque landscape in the world for Olympic equestrian events. The landscape uses a little bit of water, the forest, and its rolling hills make for a lovely viewing experience. Whoever designed the obstacles deserves a raise too. Horses leaping over Greco-style pieces of architecture is a nice touch.
Spectacular course at @Olympics for the equestrian cross country (sadly Matt Hill calling the rowing) but well worth watching @9Now. pic.twitter.com/Qg4WlbuTwV
— Bruce Clark (@snowyclark) July 28, 2024
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