MISSY FRANKLIN AND RELAY TEAMMATES
Olympics, London, 2012
I'm sad it is over, two weeks of glory where national, religious, and cultural differences faded and sheer achievement ruled. London town glowed with pride and energy, a brilliant Olympics that gave the lie to Mitt Romney’s numbskull mumbling about security which of course he tried to unsay the next day.
Watched all I could of the live broadcasts, then caught the prime time summary. Results in advance were no problem. Knowing Aly Raisman had won the floor gymnastics made me eager to see her do it. NBCSpts is doing reruns and saw Gabby Douglas win her gold a second time, enjoyed it even more. A great gymnastics performance is as timeless as a great Bogart movie. Too bad that whomever produced the prime time display on NBC was bored by sports and felt everything had to be tarted up with breathless hype and junk montages.
Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings made me a fan of beach vollyball. Anyone can enjoy watching women 94% naked moving vigorously, yet it was the game and their skills that got me. After winning gold, Misty May was asked what she planned to do next. She looped an arm around Kerri and said, “Spend more time with this woman, not playing volleyball.” A moving friendship.
Divers, like gymnasts, have skills beyond comprehension, especially synchronized diving. Astonished at what people are capable of with powerful motivation and good training.
I'm sad it is over, two weeks of glory where national, religious, and cultural differences faded and sheer achievement ruled. London town glowed with pride and energy, a brilliant Olympics that gave the lie to Mitt Romney’s numbskull mumbling about security which of course he tried to unsay the next day.
Watched all I could of the live broadcasts, then caught the prime time summary. Results in advance were no problem. Knowing Aly Raisman had won the floor gymnastics made me eager to see her do it. NBCSpts is doing reruns and saw Gabby Douglas win her gold a second time, enjoyed it even more. A great gymnastics performance is as timeless as a great Bogart movie. Too bad that whomever produced the prime time display on NBC was bored by sports and felt everything had to be tarted up with breathless hype and junk montages.
Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings made me a fan of beach vollyball. Anyone can enjoy watching women 94% naked moving vigorously, yet it was the game and their skills that got me. After winning gold, Misty May was asked what she planned to do next. She looped an arm around Kerri and said, “Spend more time with this woman, not playing volleyball.” A moving friendship.
Divers, like gymnasts, have skills beyond comprehension, especially synchronized diving. Astonished at what people are capable of with powerful motivation and good training.
Race-walking is a tad bizarre. Walking isn’t a racing gait and forcing contact with the ground makes hips swivel side-to-side, torso rigid, arms flailing. Doing it full-out for long distances is fierce.
Saw a game entirely new to me. Court like indoor field hockey, net cages at each end, a ball smaller than a soccer ball passed, tossed, object to get it into the cage. Seven on a side, including a goal keeper. Love to know what this sport is called.
The horse events had majesty. Dressage emphasized the horse, pentathlon, the rider. In both you occasionally saw a divine unity between two superb athletes—horse and rider.
The most explosive sport is track and field. The spectacular Usain Bolt must be forgiven for his tiresome crowing after each victory. As the most medaled Olympian in history, Michael Phelps said he hoped to see more of the world, not just hotel rooms and swimming pools. Bon voyage!
My very favorite athlete, and I join millions, is Missy Franklin. Brilliance, radiance, modesty, maturity, and only seventeen! Whatever she decides to do with her life, she will make the world rejoice.
Saw a game entirely new to me. Court like indoor field hockey, net cages at each end, a ball smaller than a soccer ball passed, tossed, object to get it into the cage. Seven on a side, including a goal keeper. Love to know what this sport is called.
The horse events had majesty. Dressage emphasized the horse, pentathlon, the rider. In both you occasionally saw a divine unity between two superb athletes—horse and rider.
The most explosive sport is track and field. The spectacular Usain Bolt must be forgiven for his tiresome crowing after each victory. As the most medaled Olympian in history, Michael Phelps said he hoped to see more of the world, not just hotel rooms and swimming pools. Bon voyage!
My very favorite athlete, and I join millions, is Missy Franklin. Brilliance, radiance, modesty, maturity, and only seventeen! Whatever she decides to do with her life, she will make the world rejoice.
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