The 2008 Olympic games in China have been very exciting to watch.
Records are being not just re-written... but smashed.
Can we really see Mark Spitz swimming/ medal count record go by the way side. Yes.
Can we see Volleyball history be reset in the sand. Yes.
Can we see american gymnastics go in as the underdog, missing two key leaders, rise to the challenge. Yes.
Yet as amazing as these games are, something is missing.
There is a charm, a spark, a glow that certain athletes give off when Olympics come around.
I have not seen that spark yet. There is no "darling of the games" yet.
I'm not saying that haven't been special moments or amazing athletes. Because their have been.
Maybe it's partly because of where these games are being held. China has done a super job creating venues and acting as a host it would seem. But there is also a air of seriousness that seems to hanging in the air. It's like something is stopping the lid from popping of and blowing us away.
Maybe I'm just frustrated by how one of the all time olympic sports (gymnastics) has been turned into a video review conference call setting, rather than seeing what the naked eye and heart can see. Living under a microscope is no fun... having sport under a microscope is even worse.
I have to admit, I have had a blast watching the games live each night with my kids, taking about the judging, the history of the events and how much talent there is. It's been a fun family time if nothing else.
Generis
About Me
- Rich
- Rich Bontrager serves as the lead Pastor of Journey Church in Rochester, MN, which is focused at reaching young adults. Rich is church planter at heart and has a dream of seeing more churches planted along Interstate I-90 (MN & Iowa). In 2009 Journey planted the Crux Church in Faribualt, MN and in the fall of 2011 Journey will give birth to it’s second daughter church in Stewertville, MN. Rich loves to travel and speak with young adults about boldly making an impact in the world today for Christ. In 2010 Journey opened up the Uturn Coffeehouse & Event Center. Rich and his wife Cyndi, have three daughters Abbi, Sarah and Hannah.
2 comments:
I'm pretty much not giving a rip about what's going on in the olympics. I was going to try and follow Iowa girl Shawn Johnson in Gymnastics, but I don't have television, and there really wasn't alot of fun reading about it. I'm actually pretty bored with sports overall right now...except for trying to follow the Twins in what will likely be a futile playoff run..and awaiting week one in the NFL.
I have to say that I'm disappointed in the scoring system in Gymnastics this year. I remember clearly how messed up things were in 2004... but more and more it's clear, things are just a little better.
The best example is the tie score (US & China) on the women's un-even bars. The tie breaker system is flawed for sure. But then you find out that the judges may not all be up to Olympic standards. Ouch that makes things even tougher. Other sport competition gives out two first places when called for. On Sunday night.... two golds were earned and should have been given.
I hope by 2012 the scoring system is fixed. The players deserve to do their best, be judged fairly and clearly for the efforts and the fans need to appreciate and honor what has taken place.
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