Saying Goodbye to the Olympics

There are very few things, if any, that will make me voluntarily wake up at 8:30am in the summer. This year, on August 6, something made me do just that. I woke up at 8:30am on a Saturday with just a couple of weeks before school started. Why? It was time for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

I was excited for weeks going into the Olympics. I received the incredible opportunity to report at the U.S. Olympic Swim Team training camp in San Antonio, Texas, where I met Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky, Simone Manuel, and many other stars from the pool. This experience lit a fire under me, and it just energized me in a way I’ve never felt before.

Meeting Olympians in person got me so excited to watch them perform. On August 5th, the night of the Opening Ceremonies, I went with my mom to Central Market to buy Guarana, a Brazilian soda I really like, to get in the Brazilian spirit. While both my parents fell asleep, I enjoyed the entire Opening Ceremony from beginning to end, and will always have the image of green and yellow fireworks going off at Maracana Stadium under Christ the Redeemer. This was just the beginning.

The next morning, I set my alarm and surprisingly woke up on the first try, and I immediately turned on the TV. I flipped through the NBC channels to see what was on, and I landed on a shooting event that turned out to be nearing it’s end and awarding the first medal of the 2016 Olympic Games. American shooter Virginia Thrasher started out with a bang and won the first gold medal of the Games for the United States, and I got to watch it! It was the first of many medal winning moments I would witness.

There are so many things that make the Olympics unique. It’s the only event that brings the whole world together for a happy cause to cheer on their country and their amazing athletes. During a year that has seen so many tragedies, and in the midst of a terrifying election, these Olympics provided a necessary breath of fresh air for the world. It’s so great to see fans cheering and flags waving as athletes bring their countries pride.

My favorite part of the Olympics is getting to watch sports I would never otherwise watch. From fencing to badminton, and handball to field hockey. It’s entertaining to watch all kinds of different competition. Some countries specialize, as Fiji does in Rugby, where they won their first ever Olympics medal, and it’s fun that countries can participate in so many sports. My mom might ask, “Why are you so worried about volleyball?” I would respond with, “because it’s the Olympics!”

The Olympics allow world class athletes to show off their hard work and dedication. Another thing I love about the Olympics is hearing all the stories of athletes overcoming obstacles and working towards dreams. It’s inspiring to hear, and it’s inspiring to watch. From swimmer Dana Vollmer training super early before her baby wakes up, to shot-putter Joe Kovacs being trained by his mom. There are so many incredible stories.

I was very passionate about these Olympics. I remember watching in 2008, and more in 2012, but I followed these Olympics almost religiously. I downloaded the Rio 2016 app and the NBC Sports app to follow along when away from home and to keep up with what was next. I flipped back and forth between NBC channels to catch every second I possibly could, regardless of what event it was. I recorded every episode of the Today Show, and followed dozens of athletes on Instagram and Snapchat to get behind the scene looks. I even told myself I wouldn’t watch the Orioles, which for me is like giving up water, because I knew I couldn’t miss the Olympics.

The Olympics only happen every four years. They are a one-of-a-kind event. It’s not something you go through the years saying, “I can’t wait for the Olympics,” because honestly, I can wait. The only reason I say that is because in 2020, I’ll be 19 and in college. It’s really scary to think about. My life will be so different, which is why I tried so hard to enjoy these games to the fullest. Maybe, whether it be in Tokyo in 2020, or Los Angeles(hopefully!) in 2024, I’ll be at the Olympics in person, whether as a fan or a reporter.

Sure, there will be many sporting events that are very exciting within the next four years. But nothing will be like these Olympics. Thank you Rio for putting on a spectacular show.