Enjoying the Summer Olympics.

Has anyone else ever noticed that during the Olympics they will watch with fascination sports they would not attend if given transportation and a free ticket to the games?

Never having been a soccer fan, I know nothing of the finer points of the game, but I will sit transfixed and yell, yes yell, for the United States team, or if the US is not in the finals, I yell for my favorite country that is still in competition, or the underdog.

Same thing with Fencing.  I wouldn't cross the street to watch a fencing match if my sons were in it, but I will watch breathlessly when it is on the Olympics and marvel at the fluidity and grace, during the hours I am awake.

Out of all the countries, the United States usually wins a disproportionate number of medals in most sports, so occasionally I cheer for a person from another country, especially if I have seen and been touched by a human interest piece on their life and am drawn to their personality or circumstances.

In one Olympics, it might have been a winter one, I was so taken by seeing the small sparse apartment of a Russian couple that I cheered for them rather than my countrymen in one event. 

I am very sentimental and touched by people who have overcome hardships and dedicated themselves to the pursuit of excellence in their chosen sport against all odds.

Consequently, I do favor the underdogs of sports contests in many cases; as I have mentioned I was for Roulon Gardner when he took on the previously undefeated Alexander Karelin in Greco-Roman wrestling.

Olga Korbit has been a favorite of mine and I still have to marvel at her skill in gymnastics; and that was well before the rigors involved in the diet and training of champion gymnasts were known.

If I am awake, I may well watch Badminton, although I almost crippled myself on more than one occasion while chasing a darned birdie while playing in the backyard.

Equestrian events are right up my alley, and though I am not know for my acumen in dressage or equitation, I have had the rare experience of being so in tune with my mount that I have won trophies on a much, much lesser level of event (fun shows or open shows for instance) and at least felt the magic of communication between rider and steed.

When I think of the thrill I have experienced as I have watched an Olympic event, I always recall the way the hotel cook in my favorite movie Vision Quest explained how he felt when watching Pele make a goal that lifted him from human existence to another level. 

It is often difficult to comprehend the level an athlete can attain, until you have seen them in their date with destiny and watch them etch their name in the annals of Olympic history,from an easy chair in front of the television.

And that is the joy and excitement I am looking forward to beginning August 8.