Currently I am deep within experiencing Olympics withdrawals. I wish the Olympics were more than every two years. I love the Olympics, I mean love them (we are talking borderline obsessed in a good way). I do enjoy the Winter Games but I think I love the summer games more. It could be that it is the time of year, or I understand more sports (seriously what is up the ski and then shoot sport?)
What I love most are the stories. I love the stories of the human heart and spirit. I love the passion, the hard work, overcoming the odds and the joys of seeing your life's work rewarded often in a single moment. It brings humanity just a little bit closer to each other. For just a moment we set aside our arguments and our fights and cheer on our athletes - some from our country, some from our homeland, some we've never been to but inspire us nonetheless. And these were my 12 favorite stories of the London 2012 games.
12. Dannell Leyva (Gymnastics USA) wins the bronze in the all around men's competition. Sometimes earning the bronze medal is just as amazing as winning the gold.
11. Claressa Shields and Marlen Esparza (Boxing USA) winning a gold and a bronze medal (respectively) in woman's boxing. She is one of two USA women to medal in boxing, and both have become the first to earn any medal for the US woman's team. This Latina woman had to make it in a clearly defined man's sport to succeed.
10. Kirani James (Track Grenada) He is the first person to winy ANY medal for his country. And he does it with a gold. He will be just as famous if not more famous in Grenada as Michael Phelps is in the USA.
9. Missy Franklin (Swimming USA). Winner of four gold medals. Humble throughout but still kicking serious butt. And the girl is only 17. I think we will be chanting her name in Rio 2016.
8. Sarah Attar and Wojdan Shaherkani (Tack and Field Saudi Arabia and Wrestling Saudi Arabia) The first women to ever compete for the country of Saudi Arabia. These women are breaking barriers for their country and as a woman I am proud. Their presence at these games brings us closer towards equality and recognition of women. Because of them, and many other women, every country present at the games had a female athlete representing them.
7. Misty May Treanor and Kerri Walsh (Beach Volleyball USA) They weren't going to come back this year. They faced injuries and having babies, and other things but in the end they decided to give it one last go. They lost one match in all the Olympic games and won their third gold medal. It feels like the end of an era but they were huge in making beach volleyball a name sport along the limes of track and field, swimming, and gymnastics.
6. McKayla Maroney (Gymnastics USA) silver medal in vault final. Vault routine elevates her to extreme badass. For the team final she completely stuck the landing on one of the hardest female vaults done on the game. In the vault final she landed on her ass in the second vault and she still won a silver medal. Not only did that start the hilarious (and she finds it funny just as well) "McKayla Maroney is not impressed" Internet sensation, but worked her way up into the bad-assess of the Olympics.
5. Usain Bolt (Track and Field Jamaica) The fastest man alive. Possibly the fastest man ever. He defended is title in the 100m race and won the 200m race. This guy is a legend.
2. Michael Phelps (Swimming USA) Most decorated Olympian ever. What else should I say about the world's greatest Olympic Athlete. Probably ever. (He is even mentioned twice in this blog post alone). 22 medals. 3 Olympics. Epic man. Legendary man. He and Usain Bolt should start a club of awesomeness.
1. Kayla Harrison (Judo USA) I don't think you can not hear her story and be reduced to a puddle of tears. She almost quit after being abused by her coach. In the midst of the trust issue, the pain, the brokenness, and the shame - she came back and fought back. And it was she who won America's first ever Olympic gold medal in Judo. I think I am the most proud to see her be an Olympic champion.
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