Post by doc on Jul 21, 2021 18:11:18 GMT
I've always enjoyed the Olympics - summer and winter. I do get tired of seeing the same athletes but if they're the best we have to offer then I guess they should be there. This year's Olympics are different - no fans, I could care less if the basketball or soccer teams win or lose - I don't think our men's soccer team even made it. Megan Rapinoe is an athlete who could go away and I'd never miss. There's actually a young lady from my daughter's high school on the women's soccer team - Rose LaVelle - she scored a goal in the World Cup finale which was pretty cool. I enjoy the gymnastics, swimming and track and field events but it won't be the same without fans cheering the athletes on. I think Sydney McLaughlin will be one of the US stars in track and field, she holds the world record 400 meter hurdles. Anyway, it's going to be weird but I hope there's some great entertainment over the next several weeks.
Here are of the events (for me) that I recall from past Summer Olympic games...
1968 - Mexico City. Bob Beamon's long jump and the black power protest on the medal podium.
1972 - Munich. Team USA being robbed by the USSR and officials in basketball, Mark Spitz's 7 gold medals, Olga Korbutt and the Israeli athletes being killed by terrorists.
1976 - Montreal. Sugar Ray Leonard and Leon Spinks. Nadia Comaneci.
1980 - Moscow. Boycott - no memories other than that.
1984 - Los Angeles. Mary Lou Retton. The Russians boycotted. Carl Lewis. Zola Budd and Mary Decker. Team USA with Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley won the gold.
1988 - Seoul. Ben Johnson disqualified for testing positive for steroids. Team USA, coached by John Thompson, lost. Roy Jones was robbed of a gold medal when the judges gave the decision to a battered Korean fighter.
1992 - Barcelona. The Dream Team.
1996 - Atlanta. Muhammad Ali lighting the torch. The women's gymnastics team capturing the gold medal. Keri Strugg's landing on her vault. Michael Johnson winning the 200 and 400 meter races wearing gold shoes.
2000 - Sydney. Kathy Freeman.
2004 - Athens. Carly Patterson.
2008 - Beijing. Nastia Luikin. Usain Bolt.
2012 - London. The closing ceremony with all the rock stars. Makayla Maroney and Gabby Douglas. Michael Phelps.
2016 - Rio. Women's gymnastics, Simone Biles, Phelps last Olympics, Katy Ledecky, Usain Bolt. Ryan Lochte being a douche bag.
Here are of the events (for me) that I recall from past Summer Olympic games...
1968 - Mexico City. Bob Beamon's long jump and the black power protest on the medal podium.
1972 - Munich. Team USA being robbed by the USSR and officials in basketball, Mark Spitz's 7 gold medals, Olga Korbutt and the Israeli athletes being killed by terrorists.
1976 - Montreal. Sugar Ray Leonard and Leon Spinks. Nadia Comaneci.
1980 - Moscow. Boycott - no memories other than that.
1984 - Los Angeles. Mary Lou Retton. The Russians boycotted. Carl Lewis. Zola Budd and Mary Decker. Team USA with Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley won the gold.
1988 - Seoul. Ben Johnson disqualified for testing positive for steroids. Team USA, coached by John Thompson, lost. Roy Jones was robbed of a gold medal when the judges gave the decision to a battered Korean fighter.
1992 - Barcelona. The Dream Team.
1996 - Atlanta. Muhammad Ali lighting the torch. The women's gymnastics team capturing the gold medal. Keri Strugg's landing on her vault. Michael Johnson winning the 200 and 400 meter races wearing gold shoes.
2000 - Sydney. Kathy Freeman.
2004 - Athens. Carly Patterson.
2008 - Beijing. Nastia Luikin. Usain Bolt.
2012 - London. The closing ceremony with all the rock stars. Makayla Maroney and Gabby Douglas. Michael Phelps.
2016 - Rio. Women's gymnastics, Simone Biles, Phelps last Olympics, Katy Ledecky, Usain Bolt. Ryan Lochte being a douche bag.
