Vive les Olympics
Image: SChrist
It is 2024 and at last the Paris Olympics are here. The days of wondering about the water quality are over (well, not really – they’re still holding off on letting the triathletes practice in the Seine as of this time), the opening ceremony has occurred, and the athletics are well underway. I have the joy of being able to root for both the Americans and the British. I also wanted Leon Marchand to win the gold in the men’s mixed 400 metre swim, as he is French and trained with Michael Phelps’ coach. And so he did. Marvellous to watch him and the home crowd.
It does remind us that in a weirdly divided world, there is more that we have in common than what separates us. The Olympics are beset by squabbles, divisions, doping scandals and general misbehaviour on the days leading up to it and after, but once there, it is an overall triumph of cooperation. So many competitors from various backgrounds come together to show the world how they excel in their sports.
A weird and wonderful opening ceremony, on the water. I thought poor Serena Williams was going to be ill – not everyone’s a boat person. It was also an acrophobia sufferer’s nightmare. They kept putting people on rooftops. I will not mention the rain but if nobody fell into the water during that event, it was a miracle.
Let’s face it, the Olympics gets people talking. At the local Parkrun, we were discussing what sport we would do if we had a year to train. Most people said archery or shooting (don’t need the physical side to be top at it, but a very steady aim).
I said dressage, as the horse does all the work, in my humble opinion. I like horse dancing. Me being able to swim or run speedily would not be a factor. The issue was also raised of having an ordinary person compete in every sport, ala Eddie the Eagle, to show the world just how exceptional the athletes are. But who would volunteer to do that? Then again, you could be in the same place as your favourite athletes…
- Suzanne Christiansen, editor, Dairy Industries International.
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