Jerry Seinfeld on the Olympics

What I do want to comment on also involves the topic of winning a medal. Not only was this the first time I have ever really been into the Olympics, it was first time that I payed attention to the reactions of the athletes upon winning a medal. For some of the athletes just competing in Beijing was the goal, and winning even a bronze medal was unthinkable. Then there were the athletes for whom winning a gold medal was their only purpose of competing.

The reaction of an athlete expecting to win a gold medal and indeed then winning that gold medal was often a reaction of utter relief (see the table tennis women’s champion for a prime example). And the reaction of an athlete expecting to win a gold medal and NOT winning that gold medal was a reaction of complete and utter disappointment, even when winning a silver or bronze medal (see any number of the track and field events for a prime example). Can you imagine Michael Phelps at the end of a second place-finishing race? There would be zero joy to be seen.

What I ultimately took away from these Olympic Games was that I most enjoyed seeing those athletes who came in second or third, yet celebrated as if they had finished in first. Nothing else from these two weeks of exciting competition stood out more to me. What a shame when being second or third best at your sport in the world simply isn’t good enough.

Most of us remember the Dream Team, Michael Johnson’s double gold, or the failure of the men’s basketball team to bring home gold in 2004.  As for most of the other sports, I have no real memories.  This is the first time that I have really payed any attention to sports as diverse as fencing, handball, table tennis, or volleyball.   Many of my friends have likewise told me how much they are enjoying these Olympics and watching like never before.

How strange it is that the Olympic stage can lure us to not only watch sports we simply don’t usually care about, but to also actually CARE about these sports at the same time.  I have found myself rooting fervently for the US fencing team, for the entire US swim team, and for the US beach volleyball teams.  I don’t think I have ever watched a fencing match before in my life, I may have watched some swimming, and I definitely have never watched beach volleyball.  I happened to watch Phelps first capture gold, and I afterwards watched all but one of his gold medal swims, along with the rest of America (or at least 30 million of us!).  I have been hooked ever since- every night this past week I have been glued to the television, watching hours of competition.   And I have been completely satisfied doing so.

I may not watch another swim race, gymnastics event, or 100 meter dash until London in 2012, but for another week or so I know I won’t be able to get enough.  I am definitely betting on gold from our NBA superstars!