Olympics Weekend 3

Women's Gold Medal Soccer (9 August)

Annie, Mom, and I at Wembley stadium

I must admit that one of the highlights of these games for me was hands down going to the women's gold medal soccer match. I have always been a lover of the sport and defend it adamantly when people choose to make fun of it or discount it as a legitimate game. 

I wore my Mia Hamm signed jersey that I have owned since I was in second grade and was extremely happy when a woman stopped me to comment on it. We talked about how Mia had been our idol and how it's a shame that not many people in younger generations will ever know about her. I was lucky enough to have had the chance to meet Mia when I was little and she signed my jersey with the phrase "Live your dreams". Even girls who never played soccer seriously know who she was because of her commercials and appearances on Disney Channel. I haven't seen a really positive sports star like her in many years. Hopefully soon another team like the USA team she was on will once again bring not only glory but also respect to the sport.

The game was very exciting. We were behind one of the goals but had a great shot of all the action. I don't think anyone really knew who was going to win until the finals whistle. It was hard not to get emotional with the team as they hugged and walked with the flags. You even felt sympathy towards Japan as their girls cried too. It's hard to lose, especially for the veterans because this is for some of them their last shot at a medal. It was such an emotionally charged atmosphere. There isn't anything quite like that feeling of pride when you have witnessed people you can relate to having success.


Men's Semi-Final Basketball (10 August)

Tip off!

We attended the Team USA vs Argentina game. This game was supposed to be a tough one because traditionally whoever has won this game has one in the final. The Argentinian fans were very enthusiastic and a pleasure to watch as they chanted and sang together across the stadium. Team USA really needs to come up with a better cheer!

Watching the Dream Team was a lot of fun. Sadly I still found myself cheering for Kobe and wanting to BOO LeBron. Some things will never change haha! They played so well together, it is obvious why they are usually the favored team for gold ever year. The game was very high scoring for Team USA and although Argentina put up a fight, the cards were not in their favor. 

Track & Field (11 August)

Olympic Stadium

MY SPORT! I said that soccer was my favorite event, but Track is a very close second. We got to watch the Men's Javelin Final (it's actually really cool to watch) where a man from Trinidad and Tobago won, Women's High Jump Final (which was my sport back in the day), Men's 5000m, Women's 800m, Women's 4x400m relay, Men's 4x100m relay. 

Women's High Jump was so much fun to watch. One of our girls took second and was overjoyed with that finish. She was crying with happiness rather than being defeated. It's always wonderful when you see the joy and surprise of doing well rather than the bitterness of defeat. She jumped her personal best - she peaked at the right moment and was rewarded.

Team USA Gold 4x400m

The Men's 5000m was fun to watch despite no Americans doing well (we even had 3 in the competition). Mo from Team GB had the crowd going crazy. He came from behind to win a second gold medal. The stadium erupted! It made me happy for the British people that many of their athletes performed extremely well in these games. 

The Torch

The Women's 4x400m was an easy win for Team USA. They smoked the competition. I was hoping they would set a new world record. That would have been a sight to see! 

Finally we saw the Men's 4x100m. The men were so fast! Team USA took second to Jamaica. I really was surprised because our men were in the lead throughout, but Bolt proved to be just too darn fast! He blew by as the anchor leg. It was so exciting to see this final race of the Olympics.

Fun Fact

The same night as track Tom Daley got bronze. :) 

My mom bought me the early birthday present of an autographed picture of him.