And the Winner is…

Okay, so I admit it…finally….that I am a staunch, confirmed, dyed-in-the-wool, absolutely-positively-have-to-be-there, cannot-miss-even-one-second-of-the-excitement (except the commercials of course) OLYMPIC-AHOLIC. And over and above that illustrious title, I am convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that the show could not possibly go on without my presence in some way, shape or form… yes, it’s really true! I admit it.

I was there cheering Michael Phelps on through his astonishing triumphs of Gold Medal victories, each one more exciting than the last, counting down to the record breaking, sensational number eight. And certainly Nastia Liukin would never have won her Gold Medal in the overall competition had I not been there through every graceful twist, turn and tumble of her lithe body. And then, of course, there was little Shawn Johnson, following close on Nastia’s steps; ever so confident, ever so different from Nastia, and ever so commanding in her own right.

And had I clapped just a little harder, perhaps Dana Torres would have stretched a little further to overturn that 1/100th of a second lead her competitor had over her to put her in Silver position instead of Gold.

I have been there through it all so far, cheering our women’s volleyball duo, Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh, through each of their Olympic successes, totaling over 105 wins for the past year; crying as Alicia Sacramone missed her mark and didn’t qualify for the Gold medal she so desperately wanted in gymnastics; laughing as Kobe Bryant and Lebron James hooked yet many other difficult baskets over the heads of their competitors to put the US on top for Gold medal contention in men’s basketball.

It’s been a great Olympics so far, and it’s not over yet! Rest assured, one thing you can count on is that I will be there to support, to yell, to cheer, to cry, to edge our TEAM USA on to greater victories as we deal with our competitors with honesty, integrity and pride in these XXIX Olympic Games.

I leave you with one quote, from the 41 year old Olympic swimmer Dana Torres: “You don’t have to put an age limit on your dreams.” Thanks Dana, and have a great week!