Are you watching the Olympic Games? I’m riveted.
I find the quest for gold to be tremendously inspiring. I get teary when the National anthem plays, and I shout madly as “underdog” athletes race past their favored competitors. I understand how much time they’ve invested in their goal–the long hours and the sacrifice of simple pleasures such as staying up late or eating something they shouldn’t. Michael Phelps says his life is eating, sleeping, and swimming. My admiration is boundless. I cheer from behind my laptop screen, sneaking in peeks at the action between stretches of typing.
As I watch the athletes on the television, I note their joy and sorrow, their feelings of accomplishment and disappointment. Every event is both a dream realized and a hope dashed. Some will go home empty-handed, despite giving years of their life to the pursuit of their goal. But with or without a medal, every athlete in Beijing is a winner just for giving their heart and soul to chasing their dreams. I find that tremendously uplifting. Watching replays of Derek Redmond hobbling toward the finish line brings me to tears. Such beauty of spirit is awesome to witness. As a writer, I try to capture some of that beauty with mere words on a page. As a reader, I treasure the books that succeed in that task.
The uniquely human ability to hope and to dream is what we most love about the novels that adorn our keeper shelves. The characters and their journeys touch and move us, their pain and joy linger long after the last page is turned. The fictional dramas in my favorite books are no less real to me than the ones unfolding on my television screen every night. There is magic on my bookshelves, beloved gifts from my favorite authors to me.
The Olympic Games are more than just a tally of medals won and lost. They are a celebration of the human spirit we all share. I’m inspired both for my own sake and for the sake of the characters I have yet to write.
Are you watching the Olympics? Which Olympic moment, past or present, most inspires you?
It’s hard to come up with just one because these games are always riddled with special moments that just take your breath away. But can I just say AMAZING JOB to the US men’s relay team that took gold in swimming the other night! And what about the men’s gymnastics team? All of our best hopes were waylaid by injuries, these guys weren’t expected to get anywhere near the podium - and they took the bronze! Way to go, guys! You rock. The Olympics rock.
by Margay August 12th, 2008 at 6:12 amOh, that’s easy for me. Paul Wylie, 1992 Winter Olympics Albertville, winning the silver in the men’s single figure skating.
A career also-ran who was never able to put together two clean performances, he went into the long program after placing second in the short and everyone wondered when/if he would choke. And he didn’t. He put it all together and had one of the most inspiring skates ever, on the biggest stage in the world, right when it counted. It was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen in my life.
I felt very similarly last night watching the men’s gymnastics– they did a great job when it counted.
by Barbara Caridad Ferrer August 12th, 2008 at 7:50 amOkay, I’ll go against popular opinion
and admit
to not being interested at all
in the Olympics.
However, I do find now
by Kimber Chin August 12th, 2008 at 8:15 ama great time to get some reading done
(no tv distractions).
Just last night,
I ‘discovered’
My Lady Viking
by
Jean C. Gordon.
Wow, talk about gold medal writing!
I haven’t read a great viking romance
in a long time!
For me the 1980 ice hockey victory by the USA was the ultimate Olympic moment. Those guys were not professionals. I used to love watching the basketball before the pros played. I’m enjoying the softball and women’s field hockey because those are the sports I played and that my daughter plays now. The skill levels amaze me.
by Susan Kelley August 12th, 2008 at 8:37 amThere are three men from our town in the rowing - two in the GB team, one in the Irish team - so lots of local interest.
I think it’s the stories that make the Olympics so fascinating - when you’re just watching people do something supremely well, it’s impressive: but when you know some background - so-and-so has come back from injury, or trained in impossible conditions - it becomes inspirational.
by Marianne McA August 12th, 2008 at 10:09 amI’m with Kimber C. *yawn*
by Kalen Hughes August 12th, 2008 at 11:02 amI’m a swimmer, and have always loved watching how the sport has evolved. So of course, watching Michael Phelps is number one for me. The fact his 6′ 4″ body can so gracefully push through so much water, leaving the compitition in the dust, is amazing. And his so humble about it.
by Lee August 12th, 2008 at 11:35 amI love the Olympics!! So many moments to choose from. . . .
I have to admit I did not see the Derek Redmond thing “live” but the replays just break my heart and make be smile at the same time.
The swimming relay the other night was incredible, my hubby and I were cheering along with the crowd on that one. We also loved that the “old guy” of the relay (who is younger than both of us! LOL) was the one that pulled it out at the end.
The 1980 Hockey team~um, I was only 7 so I don’t remember that one~liked the movie though!
The men’s gymnastics team this year is such an underdog story~esp. with both Hamm brothers having to pull out. the Hamm’s are locals for me, so it was disappointing that we didn’t get to see them again.
I think what I like about the Olympics is the stories we are all sharing. They show something about the human spirit and I’m just a big marshmallow when it comes to that!
by TracyS August 12th, 2008 at 11:44 amI do enjoy watching the Olympics–it’s always amazing to me to remember how incredible all of the athletes who participate are. I’m not sure I remember a single defining inspiring moment–I have a terrible memory!
by Fedora August 12th, 2008 at 12:25 pmThey’ve been great this year. Truly inspiring. So far this year, I’ve been excited about Phelps and the Korean swimmer who messed up a few years ago at the Olympics and just came back to win gold.
My favorite Olympic moments are when the US rookie hockey team won the gold and Nadia received perfect ’10’s’.
by Jordan August 12th, 2008 at 1:10 pmMy favorite Olympic moment? Kerri Strug doing a perfect vault on a broken foot to win the gold for the women’s gymnastic team in Atlanta.
by Robyn August 12th, 2008 at 2:45 pmThe reason I watch the Olympics has very little to do with sports. I certainly don’t follow these athletes in world and national events.
But I love watching them because they are the best of characters. And what author can’t enjoy that?
The Chinese diver who had to make the choice between being in the spotlight as the face of so many products, and competing. Fame as a spokesperson, or fame as a diver (since she’s already made a fortune).
The French swimmer defending her gold medal and competing against the Italian swimmer with whom she trained - and who is the current lover of male Italian swimmer who was the previous paramour of the French woman.
The mother of the USA gymnast who expected to see her daughter compete in the floor exercises and didn’t know until watching the girl put on her warm-up suit that she’d been injured only moments before. The agony on the mother’s face.
And the joy on the face of Michael Phelps’ mother. The trash-talking done by the French team and by the Aussie Ian Thorpe that fueled Phelps on.
I can’t imagine anyone interested in characters not to see stories and traits in these athletes. The conflict, the emotions, the choices they have to make. Good, good stuff.
by Alison Kent August 12th, 2008 at 3:40 pmI love watching the Olympics. I loved watching the Chinese men’s gymnastic team win Gold last night. Every routine of theirs was awe-inspiring. They as atheletes bring new meaning to the sport. And I’m shallow enough to admit, I dig me some hot Asian men.
I’ve been watching swimming, and rowing, and beach volleyball. It doesn’t matter to me what country is competing I love watching people win.
by Vivi Anna August 12th, 2008 at 5:18 pmi like basktball hot guys swimming. the gymnastics were nice.
by kh August 13th, 2008 at 5:43 pmI’m with Robyn — Kerri Strug is the ultimate Olympic hero for me. The courage, determination and sheer guts she demonstrated should have made her a national hero, with her face on every magazine cover the following week. It’s shameful that everyone got so caught up in how horrible gymnastics is to “those poor little girls” that Kerri’s bravery and determination were swept aside and buried.
Angie, who’s been travelling and is catching up
by Angie August 16th, 2008 at 10:12 pmyay Michael. congrats.
by kh August 18th, 2008 at 12:53 pm