I don't Just Watch for the Ice Dancing

[cabenson]

My first memory of the Olympic Games is from 1976- Dorothy Hamill won the gold for women's figure skating and spawned a new hair style that swept the nation (and my 4th grade classroom.) The 1976 Summer Games,(they held both winter and summer games in the same year until the 1990's) showed the USA celebrating it's Bicentennial and gave us Miss Perfect 10, Romanian Gymnast Nadia Comaneci as well as a new use for the theme to The Young and the Restless. Back then, I wanted to be a figure skater and a gymnast. And a speed skater and a cyclist, a bobsledder and a high-jumper. I tried them all except the bobsledding, but growing up in the snow-belt, we were able to improvise ;)

As a child, watching the Olympics was a family event- something that kept our minds off the never-ending energy crisis, the continued threats from Communist nations, the growing concerns with Iran, and the political and socioeconomic fallout from one of the most protested and deadly wars in history. Isn't it weird that thirty years later, we are still concerned with three of these things?

I always watch the Olympics and not just for the sports. I am one of those saps that watches for the human interest stories and has to wipe tears away as the young athlete from Younameitstan finally overcomes physical/economical/political obstacles to represent their country in these games of champions. I consider these 10-14 days a learning experience where I can take in historical and political information about the host country and most of the countries represented. I can see the differences in a Unified Germany and a dismantled Soviet Union. I can see Iraqi athletes compete for the first time without treat of death if they fail. I can see how athletes compete without benefit of enhanced substances. I can see my own history.

I usually glue myself to the television during the Olympic Games, especially for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. There is just something special about the Parade of Nations- all those athletes representing their countries- that gets me every single time. The first Olympics that Mrs. CB and I watched as a couple were the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney. We picked up a bottle of Australian Shiraz and drank it as we watched the Opening Ceremonies.We have continues that tradition through Salt Lake City and Athens. Tonight, we gave up hockey tickets so we can drink a nice Italian wine and watch the athletes parade in. We will watch the games as time allows, but we'll make a special attempt to watch the closing ceremonies. I celebrate thirty years of history with these games. Thirty years of my life.

Comments

[charliesmum.livejournal.com]

When I was in the 4th grade I got my hair cut like Dorothy Hammill, because I thought she was the awesome.

Remember Nadia Comminiche? (however its spelled) My cousin was so enamoured of her.

[cabenson.livejournal.com]

Oh yes I do...see pic of Nadia in link in post. I was totally in awe of her and then, years later when I learned how she was treated by the Ceausescus, I felt horrible for her. The story of her defection is amazing.

[babeeaimee.livejournal.com]

My first memory of the Olympics is seeing the swimming from the LA Games one morning before school (special event, cos we were never allowed to watch TV in the mornings). I can't remember who was racing, but I remember sitting close to the TV and cheering.
(love your icon BTW)

[cabenson.livejournal.com]

When I was in school, we only had the three main channels, so we got whatever they could broadcast. It was still good enough for me.

[godessillyria.livejournal.com]

I remember everything about the first Olympic I watched which was the Summer Olympics of 1972. Olga Korbut, Mark Spitz (so bloody cute). Such a wonderful event until the massacre of those poor Israeli athletes. I was 12 and I still get that cold feeling in my stomach whenever I see the news reels. So very sad still.


May we never, ever have to see a similar thing happen again.

[cabenson.livejournal.com]

I remember a little about Korbut and Spitz, but mostly cause my Mom though Spitz was so hot ;)

[theholyinnocent.livejournal.com]

Back then, I wanted to be a figure skater and a gymnast. And a speed skater and a cyclist, a bobsledder and a high-jumper.

Ah, the ambitions of youth. I wanted to be a pool girl, toweling off the wet swimmers...wait, no swimming? I'm outta here.

We picked up a bottle of Australian Shiraz and drank it as we watched the Opening Ceremonies.We have continues that tradition through Salt Lake City and Athens. Tonight, we gave up hockey tickets so we can drink a nice Italian wine and watch the athletes parade in.

CB, I think we have found our sport.

"Look at her lift that Shiraz!"

"She's been training for this for 30 years, Dan."

[cabenson.livejournal.com]

"Well it looks like CB has the Gold medal in the Juice-Glass class well in hand, but she will have stiff competition in the Stemware round."

"Yes Dan, CB's lack of balance, a long-lasting result from that disastrous spill she took in the Worlds, will no doubt keep her from medaling in Stemware. It is interesting to note that THI, the favorite entering this competition, has been banned after testing positive for male hormones once again. Some athletes never learn."

[theholyinnocent.livejournal.com]

"But THI is certainly dashing with that goatee, I must say."

"Mmm-hmm. I'd hit that. Whoa, Dan! Did you see that?"

"I haven't seen projectile vomiting like that since '84...the last year of the Boone 'sHill Strawberry Wine round."

"CB *still* can't manage the chardonnay! Well, there's still hope she'll place in the vodka round."

"Unless Helen Stewart flashes her again."

"Some people want to win at all costs, Dan."

[cabenson.livejournal.com]

Game, Set and Match you mustachioed fiend, you! Taunting my inability to contain the chardonnay is plain hurtful...as is the spewing involved.

You guys snowed in yet?

[theholyinnocent.livejournal.com]

Mwhahaha. The testosterone makes me merciless!

Barely an inch of snow thus far! Disappointing!!!

[stargazer1960.livejournal.com]

I don't know how many of you remember this about the 1976 games, but it was the bicentennial. The US outfits were cowboy hats and suede jackets--sort of like the boys in Brokeback Mountain.
There is an asterisk by all of the medals because the Soviet Union boycotted the games because the 'west' was protesting the Russian invasion of Afghanistan.
What goes around, comes around.