Starting on August 5 the Summer Olympics officially start in Rio de Janeiro. Since the outbreak of the Zika virus, there has been much talk about athletes backing out as well as the possibility of canceling or postponing the games due to this virus. However, after the media took a much-needed chill pill about the Zika virus, many athletes are still going to the games no matter what.
Now, I don't want to discredit the severity of the Zika virus, nor do I want to bash the athletes that are backing out of the games. It's a personal choice and one that each individual is able to make on their own. However, I hope that the days leading up to the Olympics aren't bombarded with the media about the virus and how athletes have decided to skip Rio. The Olympics bring together some of the greatest athletes of all time in one city to compete for medals that will be brought back to their countries and families. And nothing should shadow or discredit the athleticism and pure passion that these athletes give for three weeks to a month.
207 countries around the world will be participating in the Summer Olympics and possibly more than 10,500 athletes will be covering the Rio village come August. There are many Olympic sports that many people already know about such as swimming, basketball, volleyball, rowing and track and field; however, there are so many to enjoy.
There are sports such as archery, boxing, equestrian, gymnastics, shooting, tennis, a triathlon, weightlifting, badminton, fencing, handball, table tennis, cycling, field hockey, judo, sailing, and water polo, just to name a few.
Yet what people want to really watch are the sports that we know and understand such as basketball and track and field. But as this Summer Olympics starts, challenge yourself to watch something new and exciting. While you're waiting for the "good stuff" to come back on around 7 pm, watch a little archery or fencing to get the Olympic juices flowing.
No matter the sport, each athlete has one thing in common (and probably a few more). They have undying-passion for their country and the sport they play, and they have the endurance and strength to do anything that will get them on the podium at the end of a meet. But more importantly, they do it because they love it. Their love for the sport goes beyond any metal or big media hype.
Here's to the 2016 Summer Olympics taking place in Rio, a place where all types of athletes and sports congregate to showcase their talent and undying passion for the sport and country they play for.
