My Favorite Things - The Summer Olympics Edition

I love sports. Almost all sports. I love major sports, like baseball, basketball, football, golf, tennis, hockey, and soccer. I love minor sports, like swimming, track, curling, speedskating, and gymnastics. So obviously, for someone like me, the Olympics represent one of the most exciting two week periods every two years.

This year's Summer Olympics, of course, are taking place in China. I ventured down to Mt. Lebanon to watch the opening ceremonies on Friday night with my friends Jim and Beth. That got me thinking about the reasons that I love the Olympics.

So, I decided to come up with a list of my favorite things about the Olympics. Recently I did a list of my favorite summer things. This list follows in the same vein. There will be a little more explanation for these favorites of mine. Also, you may have noticed that I like lists, and order:). On with the show...

1. The Olympic Theme Songs - there are two of which I am speaking. John Williams is the composer of the first favorite. You have heard his music in other places besides the Olympics, as he has created many memorable movie theme songs, like the songs for Jurassic Park, Star Wars, and Indiana Jones. The "Olympic Theme and Fanfare" was created for the '84 Summer Games in LA but has withstood the test of time (or at least 24 years). This is the song that NBC uses to set the scene (always successfully, by the way) for the important events, with the slow build of the horns and the steady beat of the percussion. The second favorite is called "Bugler's Dream" by Leo Arnaud. This is the song that is recognized as the NBC opener. This song is simply majestic; it really is regal-sounding. If I were a king, this would be my theme song. These songs give me goose bumps every time I hear them, and on Friday night my eyes welled up with tears because of the beautiful music, and the special meaning that it has to me: The Olympics are here.

2. Late night Olympic events - Most people watch the Olympics during the day on the weekends, and prime time every night. However, only the true hard core fans watch the coverage that comes on at midnight. For example, if you want to watch the USA Men's or Women's volleyball team, you have to watch at this time. It's always a fun way for me to wind down a long day of Olympic watching.

3. Swimming - I can't swim to almost literally save my life, but I love this sport. I would watch it more often if it were on TV, but since it's not, my following this sport really amounts to 8 days of Olympic coverage. Lots of memories through the years about Olympic swimming. Who can forget the showdowns between Alexander Popov of Russia and America's own shadowboxing sprint swimmer, Gary Hall Jr.? OK, probably a lot of you can, but I can't. They swim the 50 free, which is the swimming equivalent of the 100 meters. Always an exciting dash. I love the individual medleys, where proficiency in four strokes is required to compete. I just love swimming at the Olympics; my favorite Summer Olympic sport.

4. National Anthems - Anytime an American wins the gold, the flag is raised and the anthem is blared? Tears and pride for my country. But, the Olympics are the best time to get to hear other great anthems. One great one is this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4K1q9Ntcr5g. It's called "La Marseillaise", the French National Anthem. I bet you know the tune. Very catchy. Another great one is the Russian National Anthem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fRU_k4tjoU. This is one that, as a Russian national, you could be proud of. But, there are many lesser known anthems, which makes it fun to hear if NBC shows that medal ceremony.

5. Underdogs - Every Games features the competitors who come out of nowhere to score that medal. These people have the "joie de vivre" that is refreshing to see, just a pure pleasure of competing and the awe of being victorious. Even if they aren't American, these are always enjoyable stories to watch.

6. Chick gymnastics - I'm not as down for the dudes, but watching the 1996 US Olympic squad is one of my favorite sporting moments of my young adolescenthood. From the huge crush I had on Dominique Moceanu, to the heroics of Kerri Strug, and everything in between. Can I name all 7 members of the team? Dominques (Dawes and Moceanu), Strug, Shannon Miller, Jaycie Phelps, Amanda Borden, and Amy Chow. Yes, I am obsessed.

7. Basketball - Especially this year with the "Redeem Team". I just love the way that these supposedly egomanianical pro hoopsters show up in Beijing, walk with the rest of the American delegation, and walk through the crowds of Chinese people that adore them. This was evident with Kobe; I've been a harsh critic of his, but to see him walking through the crowd of fans at the venue was awesome, as he dealt with rock-star like adoration in the best way possible.

8. Costas - Has grown overrated for some things, but his coverage of the Olympics is second to none.

9. The Today Show - broadcasting live from the international media centre. That would be such an awesome job to have; you get to guide the American public into what is going on from the epicenter of the biggest event in the world.

10. Expansive coverage - NBC is broadcasting 3,200 hours of coverage this year. That's a ton of coverage, and my DVR won't hold nearly that much. So, my nights will be spent watching the DVR'd action from the day, while recording the action at night to watch when I'm done.

This is just a partial list. I love the track events, especially the decathalon. Water polo is a great event that isn't covered nearly enough. Of course, baseball and softball (dying their Olympic death for awhile) are entertaining. But it's just the feel and excitement of the games that overall gets me pumped. Do I like the Summer Games more than the Winter ones? Hard to say. I guess you'll have to wait until Vancouver 2010 to find out my favorite things of the Winter Games!