In the spirit of the 2018 Olympics, I want to share a little of my past experiences.
The scene was circa 1988. The conversation was similar to the following.
Momma: Are these athletes having fun?
Me: Yes
Momma: They don't look happy.
Me: They are focused on what they are doing. For four years, these athletes having been working to get here. (Some of them had been working for many more years.)
Momma: Well they don't look happy.
Me: A hundredth of a second may mean the difference in winning or losing. And, they are SERIOUS about winning!
Momma: OK, because I want them to be happy.
Me: Believe me, if they win, they will be happy.
Momma: OK, because I want them to be happy.
Sidenote: Hopefully many of you enjoyed the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
My personal attendance of those Olympics included 3 events.
1. The U.S vs Cuba in baseball. This was prior to Cubans defecting and becoming a part of MLB, so they were awesome. If memory serves correct, they hit 3 homers in the first inning. Plus, they had the ugliest uniforms ever--Red on Red. The U.S. battled back--after we left the game--to lose by a score of 10-8. The venue was the old Atlanta/Fulton Co. Stadium.
2. Mens 5th/6th place Basketball game. Venue: Georgia Dome
3. Mens 7th/8th place Basketball game. Venue: Georgia Dome
Note: I made much of my fun on my own--cutting up and making friends with an Asian in the Dome. Running up steps like I was Rocky. My fun met embarrassment when a young man selling Daily Sports Illustrated (yes--daily) had to tell me, "Sir, you're going to have to sit down." Ha!
The idea of countries coming together peacefully to compete in athletics is at the core of my being.
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