The Oh!-lympics

The Olympics are here! After winning the bid and starting preparations seven years ago, and then complaining for the past six years and 364 days, Londoners have finally seen the Games come to fruition. Here on the island we’d been warned that the Olympics might signify the ceasing of London as we know it, a start of the end of the world, if you will – The tube can’t handle all the extra people! No one will be able to get around! Stay home! Telecommute! Bike to work! Leave town! – but I think it’s all gone rather smoothly. Well, there have been some minor hiccups: the unpredictable weather (coldest and rainiest summer on record), all those unoccupied seats at the games (because the VIP guests were satisfied enough with hogging up all the tickets, they didn’t think they actually had to attend the matches), and the ultimate tragedy of the beach volleyball players wearing full bodysuits (the horror!).

Ryan has been glued to the television. We all know how much Ryan loves Colorado sports, but the Olympics bring out a different side of him entirely. Suddenly, he is a huge patriot. “The US is losing to China in the medal count,” he reports with desperation in his eyes. He envisions the triumph of communism over democracy if we don’t come out on top. He can speak intelligently about swimming and fill you in on the backgrounds of several gymnasts, from their first walk on the balance beam to their victory over Wkdjladjdenko at the world championships. I stare at him with my mouth agape as he rattles off the rules of dressage (horse dancing) and recites the last 12 gold medal winners in archery. Who knows these things? I’ll be honest, I think it’s hot.

We were lucky to score some tickets to the 6-on-6 women’s volleyball matches, USA vs. Korea and Brazil vs. Turkey at Earl’s Court. The US beat Korea in 4 sets and Brazil took Turkey in 5. We saw the #1 team in the world (U-S-A! U-S-A!), the #2 team in the world (Ole, ole, ole, ole….ole, ole), and probably one of the best hitters in the world. Check out #10 on the Korean team when you get a chance. 

The enemy.