If you're anything like me, you live for each round of the Summer Olympics, waiting to watch gymnastics and swimming. However, this year, I've set about to create a more well-rounded Olympic experience for myself. Here are my top 5 unexpected/overlooked Olympic events that I will be sure to catch during the 2016 Olympics in Rio:
1. Men's Gymnastics
While the USA Women's Gymnastic team tends to get all the attention, there's something truly awe-inspiring about the men's side. While the women's sport tends to focus on finesse and style, along with strength, the men's sport puts strength first. It's truly amazing to see what the human body can do. With rules stating that they have to hold many skills for two complete seconds and bar routines performed with such force that I'm not sure the equipment can even stay intact, Men's Gymnastics is an event you should be sure to see. It doesn't hurt that they look like post-Photoshop magazine covers, either!
2. Trampoline
Yeah, you read that right. Trampoline-ing is an Olympic sport...and it is REALLY COOL. There are two athletes on the 2016 USA Olympic team: Logan Dooley and Nicole Ahsinger. Basically, these two are gymnasts who specialize in trampoline tricks, which (your mom was right), are actually very dangerous. The rules are intense: both feet must hit the trampoline simultaneously (and their feet are the only appendages that may touch the trampoline), they must end their routine without wobbling (like in gymnastics), they must go no higher than 3.35 meters and that height must be consistent throughout the routine...it's a lot. And it is seriously impressive.
3. Dressage
Dressage is an equestrian sport which, to the novice viewer, is essentially extremely complicated horse showmanship. What makes it particularly fascinating to me is that both riders and horses qualify- as in, a rider only qualifies with one particular horse, making it just as much about the animal athlete as the human athlete. This one takes a bit of research to truly appreciate, but it is worth it. The fact that one of the competitors is always an animal adds to the suspense, and it is truly impressive what these pairs can do. So, tune in and watch the horses dance and strut and be breathtaking, and catch a glimpse of the snazzy uniforms their humans wear as well!
4. Synchronized Swimming
One word: STYLE. The costumes. The makeup. The music. If you love "regular" swimming and gymnastics, and/or are very non-athletic like me, this is the sport for you. It's absurdly difficult, but somehow these teams manage to make it look effortless. Mostly. There are some fabulous facial expressions. But overall, you should check it out and witness the fashion, coordination, and astounding lung capacity of these competitors.
5. Marathon Swimming
Ten kilometers. Open water (In Rio, at Copacabana beach). This is just complete and utter awesome craziness. It's categorized as an "adventure sport" for obvious reasons, and between the tides, currents, wind, and other uncontrollable forces, makes these athletes just about the coolest people ever. All other adrenaline junkies, step aside. It's a very new Olympic Sport- added to the lineup in 2008 at Beijing. Men and women compete separately, which means I (and hopefully you too), will be watching this event nervously TWICE this Olympic cycle.
And finally...
