There’s been hope,
success, horrors, sadness – yet many armchair pundits have noticed that
competitors have been …
United by Emotion
Gracious in Defeat
Encouraged
… and Thankful for Life
…
Charlotte Worthington - the woman
who dares to do backflips over a
concrete floor ...
(it is beyond comprehension!)
This happy punter noticed that home-dinosaurism had crept in – her brain couldn’t cope with ‘flying’ upside down on a bicycle above a concrete floor – doing a 360 degree backflip, landing thumpety-thump – getting up and doing it again successfully: winning gold, just to avoid going back to work in a Mexican restaurant. Strange life!
These new sports … well
this near fossil appreciates them a little more now, as ‘these kids’ will take
the new sports forward – opening doors for others.
The two guys celebrating friendship
The highlight of the
Games for me …was the two high jumpers – who’ve competed together for years,
suffered injuries and returned – yet on equal scores at the end … just said
‘can’t we share the gold medal?’ – wonderful … it’s the first time since 1912
that two athletes share a podium place.
An incredible Olympic
high jump final ended with both Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim and Italy's
Gianmarco Tamberi sharing the gold medal/s.
I know some of you will
not have appreciated the Olympics … and I have friends who’ve disappeared with
a few books for the duration …
c/o Steve Barley's squirrels
Squirrel Leapathon – c/o
the Beeb (1.47 mins)
This one is last year's NHS themed Squirrel Obstacle Course ...
I could reflect more …
but time (my life towards fossildom) rushes on … so just enjoy the Squirrel
Tokyo Leapathon … reward: not adulation, but a few peanuts …
A cartoon from the 1936
Olympics imagines the year 2000 when spectators will have been replaced by
television and radio, their cheers coming from loudspeakers; how prescient those cartoonists were … as
the pandemic in 2021 has shown us. |
Next comes the ParaOlympics (24th Aug to 5th Sept 2021) – they are incredible people – my admiration abounds for them … from them we can learn what it’s possible to achieve.
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
30 comments:
I am one of those who retires with a book during the games, but I did enjoy the video of the squirrels, all the while thinking, Hilary, that this fellow has too much time on his hands! But that is probably being curmudgeonly!
I usually spend way more time watching the Olympics than I managed this time around. (Usually I'm not working this time of year.) Still, I did enjoy what I saw.
I saw the story of the shared gold medal and applauded. Loudly.
Huge thanks for the fun of the squirrel event - agility I can only dream of. And I would also watch it from my garden time and time again with MUCH more pleasure than I watch human endeavours.
Afraid I didn't watch this year. Cool the two guys shared the gold.
It is always about overcoming adversities, and Japan pulled it off. They must be heaving a huge sigh of relief that it's all over.
I read that some people who were opposed to the holding of the games during the pandemic decided not to watch them on the television.
But, I really enjoyed watching lots of events. It was such an enjoyable distraction for nearly two weeks!
I watched way more of the Olympics this year and really enjoyed them. I loved that the two athletes shared the gold. And some of the personal stories of athletes that were shared before their event were very inspiring.
there definitely were some wonderful events that came out of the Olympics. I didn't watch them as much as other years but that was an America thing. Thanks for sharing your highlights.
I cancelled my TV since I watched it so seldom. Just got tired of. I read the news in the Washington Post on my Kindle, but there are some things you can't read about, sports being one. I know I will miss the winter Olympics even more. Love those long-distance ski races.
We are not fossils or antiques - we just have common sense and know what is possible or impossible to achieve at our age. Flying above gravity is not one of them. We are brilliant!
Ray and I have enjoyed a ton of Olympics and I've been very encouraged by the athletes' skills, sportsmanship, and sheer joy. It's been quite a Tokyo 2020 rev. 2021.
The para-Olympians are beyond description - should be quite a lot to root for with their skills.
Very pleasant post.
I didn't know that a gold medal had ever been shared before, but I was absolutely thrilled to see the men's high jump. Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim and Italy's Gianmarco Tamberi showed that sportsmen, even in a cut throat atmosphere like the Olympic Games, can celebrate by sharing the gold medal. Superb sportsmanship!
I rather liked the comment from 13-year-old skateboarder Sky Brown - "I didn't care about the medal; I just wanted to land that trick!". A fine philosophy to live by.
I'm not a sports fan so, apart from the squirrel, none of the events caught my attention! That's not to say I don't appreciate the work and dedication of those that compete. As they say, each to their own!
I was grateful that I keep my Eurosport subscription going year round, even though I usually only watch the ski jumping through the winter.
This year I got the most complete coverage of the Olympics ever, which meant I could watch my favourite sports round the clock. Morning session of one, then morning session of another, then evening live, then another evening catch-up, then a catch-up on other sports I've missed... hang on, when do I sleep? The trouble is I like too many sports, so apart from the BMX (which came in about 2008/12) I haven't had time to watch the new sports. But... they are there on catch-up!
My brother, stuck with BBC, couldn't find any of the sports he wanted to watch (diving is hardly non-mainstream, and GB won two medals). He's disgusted. I told him to complain.
I'm a bit lost this week...
Hari OM
I binged on what I could from the Beeb - but as mentioned above, it was frustrating and the reason is that the IOC sold rights to big pay-tv companies and the one we pay our big licence fee to can't compete in that particular sport...
The more modern sports are quite thrilling I think - though I do question that France is going to introduce break-dancing. In order to do so, they are only calling it 'break' and dropping the dancing part. I guess it could be considered a gymnastic discipline. I am all for adaptation to keep the generations interested though.
I am soooo looking forward to the Paras!!! YAM xx
Watched very little Olympics. Those squirrels deserve macadamia nuts for their efforts.
That cartoon is amazing to see today. I found the Olympics less interesting this year, but interesting enough. I still admire the individuals and the effort they make to compete.
@ David – I don’t blame you … and a good walk with the birds is so much better for us all. Love the word ‘curmudgeonly’ …
@ Liz – yes … I realised you would miss much as you were working …
@ EC – that’s great … the shared gold really made me happy to see. The squirrel videos are just so much fun …
@ Alex – they’re not for everyone and I’ve missed a few over the years – but as you say ‘cool’ they shared the gold medal.
@ Pradeep – Japan did pull it off as hosts and as successfully achieving at various sports. They’ve now got the Paralympics to come.
I gather the country weren’t thrilled, but then got into the spectacle … and it made a change from the covid pandemic coverage … as many of us have found – and as you mention.
@ Natalie – yes I think not having the crowds made a lot of difference to the way the athletes and sports were portrayed for us – we appreciated their stories more … and so many were inspiring …
@ Jacqui – it’s always interesting for me to watch – as I worked for the British Olympic Association – brings back memories of years gone by! I also know that coverage differs in each country …
@ Inger – I’d forgotten you’d cancelled your tv – which makes sense when you watch so little. Good for you – for reading the news via the Washington Post. Yes – I can imagine you’ll miss the winter Olympics – maybe Joyce will let you watch some with her … and you can see your long-distance ski races …
@ Joanne – no I know … it was typed with tongue in cheek! Struggling with technology, knowing I’ll never be that flexible.
That’s great the two of you have enjoyed lots of Olympics – the athletes are quite extraordinary at their chosen sports as well as their ability to connect via their interviews.
That’s great to see you’ll be supporting the Paralympians in a couple of weeks’ time and to learn how they’ve overcome their challenges to achieve …
@ Hels – yes … I noted it was back in 1912 at the Stockholm Olympics. Apparently the competitors can become great friends and supporters for each other … which is always inspirational …
@ John – I missed that comment from the Skateboarder – she’s amazing and I must listen to it. As you say a great philosophy to live by … thanks for highlighting it for us …
@ Keith - I understand … but I’m very happy you enjoyed the Squirrel’s antics. Thankfully each to our own …
@ Jemima – I just watched what the Beeb showed … I see Biggles was a bit challenged during the Olympics – not as much devotion to him and his pals!
Sorry to read about your brother and his Beeb versions – it was on the red button I think – but I just do the basic and don’t subscribe to Eurosport … I’m glad there’s a bit more time!
@ Yam ... please see my next comment ...
@ Dan - great you spotted the cartoon - how prescient it was ... I enjoyed watching what I decided to ... but I do so admire all the athletes achieve ...
Cheers to you all – thanks for visiting and commenting … now the weather is improving here in little old GB – I’m off for some longer walks. All the best - Hilary
Squirrel Leapathon - LOL! I would watch that.
I have zero interest in sport but do like seeing the gymnastics, there was some amazing moments during the games
Very cool about the shared Gold.
And the Squirrel Leapathon. Absolutely priceless! Thank you for sharing this!
I also loved the way knitting came into the spotlight! :p
Congratulations, Hilary, you're a winner in my contest!
Thanks for these highlights, Hilary! I watched some of it, but we were traveling a bit and it was in bits and pieces this time around.
Isn't it just the best thing to hear that story about the two high jumpers? Gives me some hope for this old planet of ours.
I never get to see the Olympics because I have no TV, but I loved reading about the two high jumpers. What a heartwarming story, Hilary!
Not a sorts fan, so I didn’t watch any, but the news kept me up to date.
I used to watch the Olympics - back in the days when we just had the 4 channels and TV was actually entertaining. Many years since, we gave up on the broadcast channels and stick to movies and series on Netflix and Apple and Amazon. Of course that means no access to live sports, which is mostly no great loss for me.
Very good to see sportsmanship is still alive in the high jump :)
@ Diane – I hope you get to watch it … it’s fun …
@ Donna – great: delighted you enjoyed the Squirrel Leapathon … and yes the shared gold was wonderful to see …
@ Deniz – and yes … you with your knitting – Tom Daley did you proud with his knitting skills – wonderful to see. Thanks re the win of the books – wonderful … I’ve been over …
Elizabeth – that’s great you were travelling … and there’s always ways of catching the highlights – the news is full of the Olympics …
@ Lee – yes I was so delighted to see the two high jumpers happily sharing their gold medal – it’ll spread joy for many …
@ Val – I admire you for giving up tv … but I still enjoy watching at times! It’s a wonderful heart-warming story …
@ Anabel – yes … the Olympics made the top spot – a change from other things … and the news always captures the highlights …
@ Ian – I enjoy having the sport on – but only on terrestrial tv … and tv here is not brilliant, but I can always read, and just simply keep watching to the minimum. Thankfully the sportsmanship showed through … these athletes do tend to support each other …
Thanks for visiting and commenting … take care and enjoy these summer days for us in the northern hemisphere … cheers Hilary
Wasn't it wondrous that the high-jumpers shared the medal? I loved it.
Hope your day is filled with sunshine, flowers and soft breezes.
The Para-Olympics should be exciting.
YOU have a grand weekend:)
Thanks Sandra for always being a faithful commenter ... and I did love the Olympics ... yes we have sea-breezes this weekend - the para-olympians are quite amazing, so I'll enjoy watching that in a week or so ... cheers Hilary
Post a Comment