Diet & Fitness Blog

Monday, June 30, 2008

By Glenn Mueller
Senior Writer/Editor

Summer is always a difficult time for a fanatical sports fan like me. Aside from baseball, there's really nothing to watch. Usually, by the time the 4th of July is over, I am already counting down the days until the first Gator football game of the season (August 30th against Hawaii).

But this year is different. From August 8th-24th, the 2008 Olympic Games will take place in Beijing. Now, you can call me an idealist, but I love the Olympics. I love the link to Ancient times, all of the pageantry and tradition and the Olympic spirit. But most of all, I just admire the fact that in today's fast-paced, profit-driven-world, people still push themselves to their absolute limits for honor and for country.

The Summer Olympics also gives me a chance to enjoy watching a variety of sports that I don't get to see very often, including boxing, rowing, cycling, fencing, wrestling and weightlifting. I am really looking forward to watching the U.S. women's gymnastics team led by Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin.

And as a basketball fan, I can't wait to see the U.S. squad in action. We may have had to settle for the Bronze in 2004, but this time should be different. The 2008 roster features as much depth and talent as the original "Dream Team" of 1992. Making the trip to China will be NBA stars like Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd, LeBron James and the biggest sports celebrity down here in South Florida, Dwayne Waaaaaaaaaaaade!

I like the Olympics so much that it is extremely difficult for me to pick a favorite event. However, I have to admit that I'm kind of partial to swimming. Though I have never been very athletic, we all know from my post last week that I swam during my junior and senior years of high school.

I've always wondered what it would be like to be at the top of the podium sporting a gold medal and fighting back the tears as the National Anthem plays in the background. Throughout the course of history, this has been one of the greatest honors any athlete can receive. I'll never get to experience this thrill first-hand, but an elite group of athletes from around the world will get to experience it very soon. And you can bet I'll be watching!

So what about you? What's your favorite Olympic event? Let us know by posting a comment below.

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