The Summer Games of the XXIX Olympiad: Beijing 2008

The Olympics. My oh my. You do not even have to know me too well to know that I am a huge fanatic. Just hearing NBC play the theme music gives me the chills.

Last night, or more so yesterday morning, was the opening ceremony. I attempted to watch it live at 5:08am (Beijing is 13 hours ahead) to learn that the day's forecast was 80 degrees and there was a prostitution sting in Escondido; I was watching the local news.

Later at 7:30pm, a broadcast of the preparations for the Olympics played. Under the narration of Morgan Freeman, who is currently hospitalized for several bone fractures due to a recent accident, the history of the Olympics itself, USA's journey and most importantly, China's journey, drew suspense. Finally, the long anticipated opening ceremony began at 8:08.

Without going into complete detail of every performance, the ceremony began with 2,008 Chinese men illuminating the Bird's Nest Stadium at the sound of 2,000 year old drums.

There were more than a handful of symbolic performances to recognize China's culture, the Olympic history, and the harmony of the world uniting.

On the history of the Olympics, it began over 2,000 years ago when the city-states of Greece competed for the supremacy of athleticism. The origin of the field events like javelin, discus, and shot put were designed to increase the effectiveness of soldiers during war. Wrestling and track proved each city-state who had the most enduring and fastest warriors. Makes sense now right?

I also learned that pigeon shooting and Indian Club Swinging (pictured right) were once sports. The extended list of odder events include Solo Synchronized Swimming, Long Jump for Horses, Pistol Dueling, and Rope Climb.

Table-Tennis, Trampoline, and Synchronized Swimming (Solo or Team-based) are for my personal entertainment. However, my personal favorites of the modern Olympics are:

Swimming/Diving

Track & Field

Gymnastics

I'll probably be talking about the Olympics and soak in the spirit through my TV until they end.
I could care less about the innovations and top notch welfare we, as Americans, have achieved for our country. I get a greatest sense of patriotism just watching the games.

It doesn't matter about how many gold medals a certain country wins and how much press they get. Eighty-four of the countries have never even had the honor of their national anthem play at a single medal ceremony. Others know that the few athletes they send won't even have a chance. Still, it is the highest definition of character for one to train, perform, and earn the best for, both, themselves and their country.

Politics are put aside as China sits across Taiwan and Japan, Russia adjacent to Georgia, Israel next to Palestine, and USA settled near Iraq. Every country, all 204 of them, unite in honor, glory, and in character. World peace for the next three weeks!