This past week, much of my time has been consumed by watching the Olympics. I can't imagine the hard work, dedication and all the hours of practice that must go into preparing to compete. As I've watched these incredible athletes from the comfort of my couch and flat screen TV, I've had a few thoughts I would like to share from the perspective of an average college student.
1. They're 19? I'm 19!
Many of the Olympians are our age or even younger. As I sit on my couch eating potato chips, I can't help but feel a little disappointed in myself. Some people my age have an Olympic gold medal, and I'm just trying to get a degree. Maybe I'll have accomplished something that great in the next four years in time for the next Olympics, but probably not.
2. Parents, what were you thinking?
You learn about some of these Olympic back stories and find out that some of these Olympians have been training since the tender age of five. Watching the Olympics has me looking at my parents and asking them why they didn't make me train to be like Simone Biles. (But truth be told, all the training in the world could't make me as talented as her.)
3. What does Michael Phelps do with all his medals?
He now has 23 gold medals. Twenty three! So, are they all hanging on display in his house? Or after you get that many, do you just kind of stick a couple in a drawer somewhere? (Probably not.)
4. I wonder if they spend as many hours training as I do studying?
They answer is probably way more, which sounds completely exhausting considering how studying for a big exam makes me want to sleep the entire next day.
5. Maybe I can train really hard the next four years.
You find yourself trying to think of an Olympic sport you might not completely suck at that you could possibly still train for and compete in. Then you realize you don't have any useful talents and there is no way you could be good at any of the Olympic events. Now you're just really hoping your degree works out.
6. Wow, I wish my legs looked like that.
As you look at the Olympic athletes' chiseled abs and insanely toned legs, you're just like "Wow I wish I looked like that." But, then you realize you have to put in effort to look remotely close to them, so you promptly sit back down and continue to eat your potato chips.
7. Maybe I'll just marry an Olympic athlete.
You realize you'll never be able to look or compete like any of the athletes, so you settle for the next best thing, which is to marry one of them. Except that none of them will ever notice you, and it's a completely unrealistic dream. Well, you can still look and imagine. (Except I have a boyfriend.)
8. Wow, I'm so proud!
When an athlete from your country wins, you find yourself getting pumped like you actually know them or played some important role in them winning. In reality, you contributed in no way to their win or loss, but you're still like this is the greatest thing ever!! This of course is completely normal, and it's great to cheer these amazing athletes on. They did, after all, work incredibly hard to be there.
