Every four years there is this amazing sporting event that brings all different nations together. It stretches over the month of August and it celebrates national pride and athleticism. Now, I’m totally biased because I’m an athletic person and love sports, but it’s the best thing to ever happen and appear on television.
This year the Olympics are taking place in Rio and the opening ceremonies signaling the beginning of the events happened Friday night. Currently, I’m bleeding red, white, and blue a little harder this month, so in honor of that, here’s the five events that I’m looking forward to and that I think would be worth while to watch.
1. Track and Field
Throughout middle school and high school I ran track and competed in shot put. I personally know the feeling when you finally cross the finish line after leaving your heart on the track. I don’t know the feeling of placing in first, but it sure is amazing to see the hard work that evidently paid off for the athletes that did.
2. Women’s Soccer
Yes, the men’s team is pretty good, but have you seen the USA National Women's Soccer Team. They’ve got Carli Lloyd, Hope Solo, Alex Morgan, and Megan Rapinoe just to name a few. This team is coming off of a World Cup win and they’re currently holding the gold medal from the London 2012 Olympics. They’ve got the talent and it’s always a good game whenever they’re playing.
3. Swimming
I’ve always been an iffy swimmer, and you would think that it’d be boring to watch people swim up and down the same lane multiple times, but it’s really not. Actually, USA Swimming is one of the teams that I love to watch most. It looks mad tiring and I, for one, can’t do it. I’m impressed. Michael Phelps, Missy Franklin, Katie Ledecky, and Ryan Lochte are some of my favorites to watch. They’re all great swimmers, they’re super competitive, and if they place, then the American pride hits just a bit harder cause ‘Merica.
4. Gymnastics
When I was little I did a year of gymnastics. I got really good at doing cartwheels and jumping on the trampoline. Because of that one year, I knew I’d never be professional gymnast, but also because of that year I fell in love with the sport and appreciate the people who are great at it. I, for one, can’t wait to see returners Gabby Douglas, Aly Raisman, Jake Dalton, Sam Mikulak, and Danell Leyva aim again for medaling. I also can’t wait to see Simone Biles and Laurie Hernandez absolutely kill it as newcomers.
5. Field Hockey
Not gonna lie, this is my sport. This one is the one I’m most excited to see this year. I played field hockey all through middle school and high school. If the college I went to had it, I’d be the first to sign up. Field Hockey, for me, has been an incredible sport that not many pay attention to but they should. Most people here think it’s a women’s sport and it’s played that way most of the time. But most every other country has it as a men’s sport as well. This sport has it’s need for toughness and competitiveness, but it also needs the skills and talent to do so. Only being able to handle the ball with one side of the stick instead of two like normal hockey has its challenges and the people that make the national team play exceptionally well. If you have a chance, check it out. I recommend this sport any day, all day.
