In ancient Greece nearly 3,000 years ago– 776 BCE– athletic games were held in Olympia in honor of Zeus. Nations and city-states set aside politics and rivalries to engage in fierce competition for the winner’s crown, the laurel leaf, symbol of Apollo.
Today, the Summer Olympic games are larger than ever, creating lasting memories for participants and viewers alike. You can find every flavor in the games. Here are five of my favorite flavors from 2012.
- Ribbon Twirling- I love all the gymnastics, and especially watching the athletes display their ability and grace while urging the uber long ribbon into loops and swirls. Ribbon Twirling is a little like ice skating and a tad like ballet. This exercise truly is magic on a mat.
-
Omega- Don’t laugh. At the risk of being lampooned for ignorance, I’ll admit I spent several minutes trying to determine why the scores showed Omega at the bottom. Omega means end. Omega is fish oil. Why Omega? Finally I googled it only to find out it’s the company in charge of keeping time. So– why didn’t it call itself Chronos? It’s not like we’re going to the– end. Anyway, duh me.
-
Hugs- Olympic athletes hug to show camaraderie, commiseration, and support. Usually, the hugs are hearty and genuine. Not always. Sometimes the athletes hug so the person hugging them will hurry up and take a flying leap. I saw this a few times. It’s the hug that doesn’t want to be. The hug that says, “I lost, now get your cold clammy hands off me.” I guess while they are fighting to keep their faces resolute and immobile, showing little of the anguish they are feeling, it’s hard to playact a hug.
-
The Long March In- If we want kids to learn about the world, have them watch the initial entry of the nations. Invariably, there are countries we know little or nothing about. Sometimes we have never even heard of them. It’s ridiculous how we are supposedly so connected and yet our connectivity only scratches the surface of things and addresses only a few places and themes, over and over and over, in a rut.
-
Participants’ back stories- It is heartwarming to hear about the private struggles and “long road to London” of the athletes. These people are amazing and have reached a pinnacle few of us ever will. Win or lose, they are the cream of the crop and kudos to them. By watching, we share in their glory.
If I had my way, Apollo would appear and present the Olympic medals. With his sunny disposition, surely he could spare some time from his melodic lyre playing and snake wrestling. At least he could make a cameo to present the medals to the irresistible ribbon twirling Rhythmic Gymnastic champions. In one of my future paranormal romances, he will, and he’ll have bells on.
