"Ricky Bobby Lied" and other Rio Reactions

Every four years we get a nice break from the dripping and grinding issues of life to find a convenient distraction of interest, emotions, and nationalistic zeal.

I have always enjoyed the Olympics and always tear up at the underdog win and celebrate the excitement of elite competition.

Sure... a cynic can pick on it... politics, agendas, doping, ratings..... but why waste this only once every 4 years treat?

So, whether this post will have any readers or not... this is meant for me to remember....

RICKY BOBBY LIED.... The Olympics gives us a great reminder that to compete and win a medal is special. Most of the time a silver or bronze medal is received with JOY and it should be. All of the athletes go for the gold.... Sorry, Ricky Bobby....being second or third is not last. It is a special accomplishment.

JESUS ABOVE RIO

Cristo Redentor, Christ the Redeemer, could not be ignored as NBC displayed captivating cut ins and aerial shots throughout the Olympics.  I couldn't help but think of the powerful image and message and tweeted about it on the last day

My final Rio thoughts-as the world strained for gold- as we rejoiced and cried- Jesus's arms remained open through it all. Who will believe?

BILES, LEDECKY, AND PHELPS

Wow- what a display of champions... each with a wonderful story. The human drama of trial and achievement.

Human frailty and the razor-thin winning edge makes each competition full of meaning and suspense!

I could go on and on about the amazing victories.

I mean, the medal count itself shows how an entire novel of pain and ecstasy.

46 GOLD

37 SILVER

38 BRONZE





BOLT- The Greatest Athlete Ever?

I mean, what can you say.... 3 straight Olympics and 9 Gold Medals! Truly the longest dominant streak by any power athlete in history.

NIKE HAD ALL THE GOLD...

 I don't know if you noticed or not..but almost every great runner of every country were all wearing the same shoe.

I did see a few others.... on the ones coming up the rear......







THE MOST INSANE MOMENT IN OLYMPIC HISTORY

So I hate to end this blog of Olympic memories with the biggest head scratcher of all.

A man won the women's 800. He/She dominated.

What in the world are we doing? How is this fair to the women in the race?

Russia ought to take note for the 2020 games in Tokyo... no need to do performance enhancing drugs... just make all of your men to become women.. and you will own the medal count without worrying about the IOC pee cup.

If this truly makes sense... why have women's events at all? Let's just have the gender neutral games and see what Pat can do.