It seems like a long four years since countries from all over the world met in London to play the 30th Olympic games, but we meet again in Rio de Janeiro to do it all over again. The best athletes from all over the world will compete for one of the greatest honors any professional athlete could ever receive: bringing home Olympic gold for their country. We are a little over a week in to this year's Olympics, and there have been some pretty incredible, and heartwarming, scenes not only from the athletes from Team USA, but from other countries as well.
Two of the most popular events in each Summer Olympics are swimming and gymnastics, and for good reason. This year, 31-year-old Michael Phelps joins Team USA for his fourth Olympic games and amazes the world again by wracking up even more medals. Phelps now has 26 Olympic medals making him the most decorated Olympian. Not only does the public love Phelps because he's a great Olympic athlete, but now a father. I think we all let out a little "awww" when Phelps kissed his son Boomer after winning gold.
Not only has Phelps continued to wow America by winning medal after medal, but first time Olympian Simone Manuel becomes the first African American woman to win Olympic gold in an individual event.
But, Team USA's gymnastics "Final Five" is some tough competition for Phelps and his son.
I mean, just look at how adorable Laurie Hernandez is!
Aside from their beauty, the Final Five are gymnastics animals. They came into the Olympics knowing their goal was gold and gave their all to achieve that goal. Not only are they great individual role models for young girls to accomplish their dreams, but they are some serious proponents of girl power. These women did some major damage during these Olympic games and they did it as a team.
But, lets not forget Simone Biles and Alexandra Raisman's killer achievements in the Individual All-Around. Simone took home the gold and Alexandra took home silver, a medal that she has been pinning for since the last Summer Olympics. Although they were competing individually in this event, their excitement for each other's accomplishments at the result is something that can only come from being on a team.
These may be the some of the most watched events in the Olympics, but there have been some other great Olympic moments outside of these two events.
When 43-year-old Kristin Armstrong won Olympic gold in the Women's Cycling time trial, she fell to the ground from her bike and began to cry. When her son Lucas asked why she was crying, she simply didn't have an appropriate response. Some day he'll understand the true weight of Olympic gold.
Kendrick Farris, a vegan weightlifter, broke the United States' men's weightlifting record during his Olympic trial. Although he hasn't won any Olympic medals, he is proof to the world that you don't need to eat meat to be strong.
There are many amazing moments in each Olympics games, not only from Team USA, but from each country competing. I think one of the most incredible aspects of this year's games in the opportunity for refugees to compete in the games as independent players. Any athlete who wants to and has the ability to compete in the Olympics should be given the chance to compete, no matter the current situation in their country. The Olympics have given this chance to the athletes from war-torn countries and that is one of the best things to come out of these games.
The games will continue until August 21, and I suggest watching as much as possible, and not just the most popular events! I watched China vs. Japan in table tennis last week, and let me tell you, that was intense. You'll never know how much you'll enjoy an event like this or if you'll be watching when something incredible happens.
Happy Olympic games, World.
