I love the Olympics.

The Olympic Games inspire me the way Rocky and the Karate Kid have in my life - I love the stories, the victories, the defeats and the chance to watch history being written. There has been a lot of talk about protests and human rights - and I think rightly so. I don't believe we should boycott the Olympics. I say, let the athletes do what they've dreamt of and trained for their whole lives. But I also think we should use the stage of the Olympics, as the world is watching, to bring to the surface issues we all face and that we, as the world, have a need to fix.

So here are a few things I'm most excited to see:
1 - NBC is streaming all the games online! This means for those of us who love not-so-popular sports, like wrestling, we'll get to watch them. I can't wait. I love wrestling and have always had to settle for highlights of my Olympic heroes.

2 - I love to see World Records broke, even in the lamest of sports.

3 - Jake Deitchler - 18 yr old, just graduated from High School and representing the USA as the 145 pound Greco wrestler. He is a phenom! I can't wait to see what he does. He already upset 2 of the worlds best to qualify - it's going to be exciting.

4 - I want to see a salute. I want to celebrate both the victories of the athletes and their statement to the world. I want people to say that human rights aren't a personal soap box, or some idealistic thought, but a necessity and a standard for the world. Whether it is wearing a button or taking the podium with no shoes or raising a gloved fist during the anthem - we should say something. I'm not looking for controversy for controversy's sake, but a statement on the largest stage in the world.

5 – I can’t wait to see the movie ‘Salute.’

8 comments:

The Running Golfer said...

I cannot agree more. The Olympics rock!
As an added bonus we have a special channel launching on our local satelite broadcaster that will screen HD tv for the first time! I am so excited! Now I can finally get to use my big screen to it`s full potential!
I will follow the wrestling just because you have recently become a huge cricket fan :-).
Also looking forward to the tennis (where Roger Federer will come bouncing back in a big way), the mens 4 x 100m freestyle relay in the pool (just because it was South Africa`s ONLY gold medal in Greece) and basically EVERY other event! Cannot wait.

God bless!

Nicky Stade said...

You? Enjoy wrestling? Nahhhhh...;o)

Cassi said...

I can't say that I am fond of people taking the stage for one thing and turning it into the another (actors accepting awards and their speech becomes a rant about politics). But that movie looks interesting...

Cassi said...

fyi... whenever I post a comment on your blog - I get an email saying that delivery has failed... ??? just thought I would let you know...

Kevin said...

Ummm? That's weird - delivery was successful. As to your comment. I understand what you are saying, but I think if you are given influence and the opportunity, you should say something. Again, not to be rebellious - but use your power/influence to help others.

Unknown said...

I basically stop going to work, stop eating, and stop playing video games around this time every 2 years.

Did you know this is the first Olympics to sell out in a long time?

BTW, DENVER 2018!

J said...

Hey, just returning the favor of checking out your blog! Very excited to see that you are a fan of the Olympics...I LOVE the Olympics. I like what you have here in the third place...I'll check back again. Blessings!

Kevin said...

Another good article to read - http://tinyurl.com/5swzpq

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