1. The Opening Ceremony
Even though there are events before the opening ceremony, the Olympics don’t officially begin, in my book, until the ceremonial torch is lit and the crowd goes wild. This year, in Rio, the torch was lit into a cauldron-like vessel which sent the crowd roaring. Along side the torch being lit, there were other elements to the show which included dancers, traceurs and traceuses (men and women who participate in the art of parkour), as well as the Olympic rings bursting with confetti.
2. The Athletes' Passion
At a young age, a future-Olympian's parents decide that they want their son or daughter to be the best of the best in their perspective field, therefore they decide to have their child dedicate their whole life for that moment when they can make it on to that podium and earn a Gold, Silver, or Bronze medal.
For Olympic gymnasts, it is not unheard of to have a 4-hour practice in the morning, take a small break for lunch, then continue on with another 3-4 hour practice in the evening. If it were me, I do not believe I would be able to handle that pressure, let alone the sheer exhaustion of those practices. For others however, it is nothing more than pure enjoyment because they love the sport.
3. The Stories Behind the Athletes
Everyone has a story, but most of our personal lives don’t get shared on national TV like the athletes in the Olympics. One of my favorite stories is that of one of my favorite athletes, gymnast Simone Biles.
Simone’s life story is a sad and joyous one to hear. Her biological mother was forced to give up Simone, as well as three other children, because of her drug and alcohol addiction. Luckily, her maternal grandparents stepped up and adopted the children and raised them as their own. Simone has always referred to her biological grandparents as "Mom" and "Dad" because they have been the ones to raise her since the age of 6.
4. The History Being Made
This is truly my favorite part about watching the Olympics; the history that is being made and the legacies that are going to be remembered forever. Anything and everything happens during the games. Mistakes happen. Miracles happen. And everything in between. You just have to keep watching to see that next World Record be broken.
