The 2012 Summer Olympics
The Summer Olympics are winding down and I for one will be very sorry and a little melancholy when I watch the closing ceremony. OK, I admit it. I am an Olympic junkie and have been for many years.
The first distinct memories of athletes I have are of Wilma Rudolph and Cassius Clay at the 1960 Olympics in Rome – Wilma probably because that was my mother’s name and Cassius Clay, well how could you ever forget him? So many random things stick in my mind from past Summer Olympics. Who on earth remembers the Fosbury Flop which is the standard for todays high jumpers? What about Nadia Comaneci or Bruce Jenner (long before he was a Kardashian)? 
Along with my family, I had the distinct and extraordinary opportunity to attend the 1984 Olympics in LA. No way could I ever describe the spirit, atmosphere and overwhelming pride I had for the USA and the athletes that represented our country. This is where we first saw 23-year-old Carl Lewis win the 100 and 200 meter races, the long jump, and anchor the 4×100 meter relay. And of course the darling of the games…
Subsequent games brought us Florence Griffith Joyner aka Flo Jo and Jackie Joyner-Kersee, along with Matt Biondi and Greg Louganis.
In 1996 the Summer games were back in the US in Atlanta. I actually purchased bricks in the Centennial Park for my sons. If you click on the link for Centennial Park, type in Cindy White and Phoenix you can see the area where the bricks are located. (I had to personally check this out a few years ago when I was in Atlanta just to make sure…)
In 2004 we first saw the talented Michael Phelps. And in this year, with 22 medals to his name, we saw his final swim.
As I write this we are winding down to the final few days of the games. For the US, it has been the year of the Woman – especially with team sports.
Women’s Beach Volleyball
Women’s Eight Rowing
Women’s Water Polo
Women’s Soccer
And of course, the “Fierce Five” – Women’s Gymnastics.
Women’s Basketball
I had to go back and revise this post to add in subsequent Gold Medal winners in Women’s Team sports. It is unbelievable how well our women teams have done. This is not to take anything away from our men, but it really has been the Year of the Woman at the 2012 Olympics.
Women’s 4×400
Women’s 4×100
In the end, emotions always take over when I watch the medal ceremonies and hear our National Anthem. I am in awe of these athletes and their dedication and perseverance. They are inspirational and amazing – just amazing.
Photos: NBCOlympics.com
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