Friday, August 15, 2008

now that's what I'm talking about

It's Olympic season, as if you didn't know. Despite the firm and stupid decision before the opening ceremony to not be totally sucked into watching them.....I was and am. Phelps and the magical duo of May/Walsh have my total and undivided attention and I find myself rooting for them on the edge of my seat every time they're competing. You've got to love a true champion after all. However, I've found particular and unexpected pleasure in watching competitors from other nations win too. The article really got to me. It's what the Olympics is all about.

'Thousands of Mongolians hit the streets of the capital to celebrate the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal, offering vodka toasts, blaring their car horns and waving the nation’s flag from the city’s tallest buildings.

Fireworks exploded above Ulan Bator as revelers sang the national anthem after traditional wrestler Tuvshinbayar Naidan’s judo win on Thursday. Naidan, whose nickname is “Tuvshee,” beat Kazakhstan’s Askhat Zhitkeyev in the men’s 100-kilogram class.

“I can’t believe Mongolia just won a gold medal,” said Baljinnyam Dashdorj, 17, celebrating with relatives spanning three generations. “I can’t believe he did it. This is amazing. I’m so happy, I can only jump up and down!” '

Isn't that perfect! "This is amazing. I’m so happy, I can only jump up and down!" What a wonderful expression of what these games are about and the happiness they create. I also liked watching the Chinese diver, in her last competition and was cheering her on as she performed her last and perfect dive, to take the gold. You've got to love that! The Chinese underage gymnastics girls team though, well that's another story. But, boy, this just proves that if politicians keep their noses out, we really all DO get along.

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