As many of you know, I'm a huge sports fan especially college sports. I always wanted to be an athlete, but unfortunately, I was not blessed with any abilities. I had a PE teacher tell me one time that it was too bad I had two left feet because I had the heart of a competitor! So instead being on the court, I sit on the sidelines and watch the action. And to be honest, I'm also berating the referees and umpires when I'm not yelling encouraging words to my nieces, nephews and the Buckeyes.
Because of my love of competition, I find myself glued to Olympic games every two years. I just love all of the inspirational stories, the fierce competition, and the American victories. I check the medal count every day on my Olympic Games app on my phone. Yes, seriously, there is an app for your phone! I cry every time they play the national anthem. I fist pump, scream encouragements, and hold my breath in anticipation. I check the sports guide to plan my night of TV viewing. I purposely avoid sports pages and sports radio for two weeks! I like to live in the moment of competition.
What I think I admire most is the dedication these athletes have for their sport. I mean think about it. Most of them go to their 8-hour a day jobs and then go train for another 8 hours. (Let me inject here my dislike for professional athletes in the Olympics. It's supposed to be about amateurs and their personal struggles to be the best. I'm just saying! The paid athlete ruins it for me!) They adhere to strict diets. They push their bodies and minds to go further, play harder and be better. They spend 4 years of intense training and single minded determination with only one goal in mind: to win the Olympic gold medal. For most of them, the actually competition lasts less than 10 minutes. They spend their lives and tons of money preparing for that moment. This is the reason why I cry when I see someone raise that gold medal and kiss it with gusto.
Okay Denise, so what are you so pissed about? Well, prepare yourself, here it comes. I am so damn angry about the events happening in Sochi, Russia. As the opening ceremony approaches, so do the bombings, threats and violence. Because of the actions of a bunch of manacle, evil people, the Olympics are being shrouded in safety concerns. Who the hell do these people think they are? How dare they take away the meaning of the Olympics. Yes, it is about competition. But it is also about unity, peace and camaraderie. They bring the world together for 15 days to enjoy the spectacle known as athletics. Who doesn't enjoy the closing ceremonies when the athletes come in the stadium not as a national team, but as men and women who share a common bond. The Olympics is also a time for families to witness the culmination of years of blood, sweat and tears. They raise money to follow their athletes around the world to watch those precious moments when they see the final realization of the dreams.
Because of a bunch misguided assholes, those families may now be watching from the comfort of their homes. I heard today on sports radio that the athletes are now asking their love ones to stay away from Sochi. The athletes feel the issues of security will take away from their focus. I heard one competitor say he couldn't concentrate on his training knowing that his family might be in danger. How heart breaking is that? To live this one moment in time and can't physically share it with the people who have supported you through your journey. And what about the citizens of Sochi? How many of them are counting on the money from the Olympics to help them realize their dreams? May be they want to send a child to college, or fund their own Olympic dreams. I just don't understand how people can convince themselves that evil doing is okay. I feel so sorry for their stone cold hearts and their misguided souls. I also feel sorry for the people who's lives are ruined simply because they know these evil people. I really hurts my heart to think of it all.
So join me in praying for the safety of everyone who is associated with the Sochi Olympics. May God protect the good from the evil. I think it's safe to say we will all be on pins and needles from the opening ceremony through the extinguishing of the flame on closing night. And unfortunately it won't be because of the competition. May the spirit of good overcome the evil and that the Olympic spirit shines bright for 15 days in February.
Make Every Day Count
Denise
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