July 27, 2012

How I came to love the Olympics

Growing up, like most people who owned a television, my family certainly watched some of the events that transpired every two years when the Olympics, be they summer or winter, were held, but they - save perhaps for the hockey finals (this, being Canada after all) - were not something that we scheduled our days around or which we got too massively excited about. Sure we cheered team Canada on, and each person had their favourite events, but that was about all there was to these games for me back then.

My husband is not, by and large, a huge watcher of sports. He enjoys rooting on Italy during the Fifa World Cup, and will tune in for the occasional game (especially if it's a playoff game) of one sport or another, but the rest of the time, he's not exactly glued to TSN. A point which makes it all the interesting, and in a way, awesome, that he is a massive fan of the Olympics.

While there are certainly some events that he enjoys watching more than others, it really doesn't seem to matter what countries are vying for the gold in whichever sport, if there's an iconic five ring Olympic flag flapping somewhere in the background, he's all over it. It's thoroughly fun to watch someone who doesn't usually bat an eye over most sports make the energy level of the cast of Glee look unenthusiastic by comparison when his interest in the Olympics swings into full gear.

From the grand opening ceremonies to the very final competition, he's there, watching, admiring, and rooting for the underdogs as much as the winners. It's beautiful really, and it so perfectly captures his caring, optimistic spirit and desire to see others succeed.

The first summer we ever spent together, 2004, as our relationship blossomed with the strength of gold medal weight lifter, was an Olympic one - held in Athens, Greece to be exact, and it was then that I first got a taste of what an big fan of the Olympiad my (soon-to-be) future husband was. After work, we'd jockey our flatmates (we were living in Dublin, Ireland at the time) for the TV remote (there was only one TV in the house) and plunk down with our dinners in front of the tube to watch as many of the events as we could cram into one evening.


London 2012 Summer Olympics vintage inspired poster by Peter Gander

{A wonderfully vintage inspired poster designed for the 2012 Summer Olympics by artist Peter Gander, that’s available on etsy, features the colours of the British Union Jack, and is the kind of piece that you could hang on your wall to keep the Olympic spirit burning in your heart, much as it does in Tony's, long after the closing ceremonies on August 12th.}




I'd never before known anyone who was so into watching the Olympics, and - then, as now - Tony's enthusiasm for the Games (especially the summer ones, which are his favourite of the two) was instantly contagious. In the years since, between Turin (held in Tony's home country of Italy, no less!), Beijing, and Vancouver, I've watched easily three times more Olympic events than in all my life prior to 2004 put together, and have wholeheartedly enjoyed every last moment of it.

Today, as the Games of the XXX Olympiad kick off, I know that I’m in for sixteen days of stats, scores, semi-finals, gold medal competitions, excitement, energy, and lots and lots of discussions about what transpired in London the day before, and quite frankly, I wouldn't have it any other way, for Tony made an Olympic loving convert out of me eight years ago and I haven't looked back once.

To all the athletes taking part in the Summer Olympics this year, from our humble sofa in Penticton, B.C., Tony and I are behind you all the way, cheering you on and commending you on representing your nation in the world's biggest sporting event. No matter what happens on the medal podium, you're all winners in our eyes!

18 comments:

  1. I'm more of a fan of the Winter Olympics because I always wanted to be a figure skater. They're so darn graceful, which is why I could never be one. LOL! Anyway, you and your husband have a wonderful time enjoying the Olympics!!

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  2. I sincerely hope you write for a living darling. This post is moving and uplifting! In the middle of it all I could think was "I'll watch the Olympics too!". Although the winter Olympics are my fav. My mom and I used to watch figure skating obsessively for years when I was in junior high and high school.

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  3. I love watching the Olympics! Gymnastics is my favorite event to watch. :)

    xx Christina

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  4. Wonderful! It's hotting up here...in more ways that one! I shall be watching the Opening Ceremony on TV tonight. I like the Equestrian events, the diving and gymnastics the most...all the events I used to love watching when I was little. Enjoy!xxxxx

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  5. I am excited to see the opening ceremonies! I think everyone has some memories of their favorite Olympic moment! A few years ago my husband and I went on a cruise and got to see where the Olympics started in Olympia! Was pretty cool to see where the torch is lit.

    Rebecca

    www.winnipegstyle.ca

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    1. Hi Rebecca, that sounds like thoroughly awesome! I'd love to see Greece and Olympia one day, too - and if by cruise ship, all the better.

      ♥ Jessica

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  6. Haha, I like how you mentioned how important hockey is to Canada. Is that stereotype really true? That Canadians love hockey and can ice skate really well?

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    1. Hi Audrey, thank you for your comment. Yes indeed, as a whole, we are a definitely hockey loving people and many of us can skate at least decently. I learned when I was about two and half and have been skating (for fun, not competitively) ever since :)

      ♥ Jessica

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  7. I love watching the swimmers, I used to be on my high school swim team.

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  8. My mum showed me the rhythmic gymnastics when I was a little girl and I was entranced. I used to run around the house holding ribbons over my head and pretend I had a pretty sparkly leotard on.To this day it's the only event I want to watch when the Olympics are on! I loved reading about your husbands enthusiasm for the games, you've written with such love.

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    1. Thank you very much, dear gal. I can relate to your interest in rhythmic gymnastics. When I was little one of my aunts gave my brother and I each a rhythmic gymnastic ribbon and we used to run around the yard for hours having a blast with them. I always think of those carefree days when I watch this elegant event during the Olympics as an adult.

      ♥ Jessica

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  9. I enjoy the Olympic Games especially the gymnastics, the synchronised swimming and the weight lifting. The spirit of the Olympic Games gives me hope for the future. With this Olympic Spirit if the world can put aside it's collective differences for these entrancing 16 days maybe, just maybe there is a chance for world peace...eventually.

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  10. I remember we were on holiday in the north of England during the 2004 Olympics and it was pouring with rain most days (what in England, surely not). We were staying in a really cozy farm cottage, so we just gave up, stayed in, and had a thoroughly enjoyable time watching the Olympics on tv.

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  11. Hi Jessica! Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and inquiring about the bag. Unfortunately it has already sold, but I did find a couple of others listed on Etsy that look to be similar in style.

    Macrame w/ wood handles: http://tinyurl.com/c7uzjah

    Suede cloth w/ wood handle: http://tinyurl.com/d7csjek

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    1. Hi Cindy, thank you very much for getting back to me so quickly. It was a darling bag, so I'm not surprised at all that some other lucky gal got to it first. I really appreciate that you shared those similar bags, that was so thoughtful of you.

      ♥ Jessica

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  12. It is so wonderful that you both enjoy the Olympics!!! :D I used to love watching the winter Olympics, as I am a big fan of winter sports!! :D I hope that you are doing well! ^-^

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  13. I love the olympics, hopefully canada will win some :)

    btw, I love your blog's name!

    http://navlandstyle.blogspot.ca/

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