The last week has been one of getting nothing else done but watching the Olympics. Beginning in Athens in 2004, I have loved to watch the Olympics. Watching the best athletes from not only the United States, but also from around the world is something spectacular. I remember watching Misty May and Kerri Walsh win beach volleyball in 2004, watching a completely invincible Michael Phelps win eight gold medals in Beijing, and watching Gabby Douglas knock off every other gymnast in the world in London in 2012. But, for whatever reason, I am almost more obsessed this year. I come home from work, and instantly turn to NBC to watch whatever sport is on, I constantly Google the latest medal count from Rio, and I have shed tears as I watch what is Michael Phelps’ last race and gold medal. The entire Olympic team is phenomenal, but I’ve narrowed down my obsession to three sports, swimming, women’s gymnastics, and beach volleyball.

The United States’ swimming team has always been strong, I mean we have had Michael Phelps for the past 16 years, but this year the American swimmers have reached a whole new level of awesome, and yes. I said awesome. Michael Phelps has come back stronger than ever and is even more fun to watch than he has been in the past. His humility and patriotism have shone brightly throughout the entire week-long swimming meet. Dana Vollmer, Simone Manuel, and Nathan Adrian have all contributed to team and individual success. And let’s just talk about Katie Ledecky. I mean, she is amazing! Beating the top swimmers in the world by five and eight seconds in a swimming match is almost unheard of! All these swimmers mentioned, as well as many others have contributed to one of the most fun swimming meets of the Olympics to watch.

We have had fabulous women’s gymnastic teams in the past, but never has there been a team like the “Final Five,” which the women named themselves. Beating the next competitor by eight points in gymnastics has been compared to winning the Super Bowl by 10 touchdowns… almost unheard of. Led by the best gymnast in history, Simone Biles, and the comeback queen, Aly Raisman, this team has been unstoppable. Not only did they win the Team All-Around competition by eight points, but they also went gold and silver in the All-Around, and they are so much fun to watch!

Finally, beach volleyball has always been fun to watch, and the United States has gotten used to watching Kerri Walsh-Jennings and Misty May-Treanor completely blow out the competition, so this year was going to be different with Kerri Walsh-Jennings getting a new partner in April Ross. These women have yet to disappoint as well as they have gone undefeated in pool play. Their team chemistry and will to win is amazing, and it looks like they are on their way to proving to the world that they are most definitely the best beach volleyball team in the world.

Of course, there are many other reasons that the Olympics have been incredible to watch. The United States’ basketball and volleyball teams look to be doing extremely well and will be fun to watch over the course of the next week. With track and field just getting started, we should be seeing some other individuals excel as well. Overall, the patriotism shown by all athletes has been amazing. In a time where our country looks to be struggling, these athletes have shown their class by performing to their full potential, not just for themselves, but for their entire country.