RIO 2016: What To Watch For
With only 10 days remaining until the beginning of what should be a historic and even controversial Olympic Games, it feels necessary to guide you to the biggest athletic and political storylines of the games so you can be sure to witness history as it is made in Rio 2016. There are a lot of opportunities so fry your pastels (brazilian snack, look it up), find a comfy spot on the couch, and prepare to be glued to athletic greatness for 16 straight days of history.
The Two GOATs of Gymnastics
Maybe I am biased, but nothing says Olympics quite like gymnastics taking the spotlight of athleticism. This year, legends will not be born but will be immortalized. In the women's team competition the heavy favorite is the US team led by Olympic veterans Gaby Douglas (London 2012 All-Around Champion) and Aly Raisman (team captain), but they aren't the legends. Simone Biles has won three straight World All-Around Titles and has cemented herself as one of the greatest female gymnasts ever. The one thing she is missing: Olympic Gold. If she wins the Olympic All-Around, it is my belief that she will be the GOAT of women's gymnastics. On the men's side, there is an even longer streak that could be continued. Japanese gymnast Kohei Uchimura has already won seven straight world titles (no other man has won more than three) and is already the GOAT, but now has a chance to repeat as Olympic champion, a feat that hasn't been accomplished since 1988-1992.
The Final Triumph of Kings
A king in the pool and a king on the track may be coming to their career finish lines at this Olympics. After retiring following the London 2012 games, Michael Phelps along with his record 22 medals have come out of retirement to compete at his fourth Olympics, and, barring another "comeback", likely his last one. On the track, the fastest man on Earth, Usain Bolt, will be competing yet again to keep that title but recent injuries have made his future questionable. He is noticeably slowing down but could win again in Rio though it may be his final moment of Olympic glory.
The New Rivalry
Along with gymnastics, diving is another sport where there is little attention given aside form the Olympic stage. The last image of diving from London 2012 was seeing the surprised and humbled face of US diver David Boudia winning Olympic gold and standing atop the podium with Chinese diver and heavy favorite Qui Bo standing to his right in second place. The question for the Rio Games is this: Can Boudia defend his championship or will Qui Bo brush aside his 2012 loss and win as is expected again. Let's also not count out Team GB diver Tom Daley who finished third in London and seventh in Beijing (as a 15 year old) and has competed well in events leading up to the games.
Athletes Without a Home
One of the major storylines socially and politically in Rio 2016 is the addition of 10 athletes who will be competing under the Olympic flag...not the flag of a country. These 10 athletes will be representing a refugee population but have been deemed fit for their chance at history. Six of these athletes are runners from embattled North African countries while Judo and Swimming will find a pair of athletes each competing under the Olympic Flag. Along with their athletic greatness, this story is one of social justice and perseverance to continue fighting for a dream while dealing with conflicts in their home nations. This narrative is historic and deserving of attention.
The Return of Golf...Kinda
Golf is returning to the Olympics for the first time since 1904. Yes, it has been more than 100 years since there has been a gold medalist in golf but now, as it returns, there isn't as much excitement from the golfers as you may think. In fact, 4 of the top 5 golfers in the world have officially withdrawn from the games many citing concerns over Zika virus (a validated health emergency in Brazil transmitted by mosquitoes). Rory McIlroy, one of these top 5, went further saying that even though Zika virus was his main reason for dropping out, it was never something that interested him to begin with. Without its top players, it will be interesting to see if golf catches its footing or if it will get stuck in a debilitating sand trap and left out of future Olympiads.
These are just a few of the many storylines that have caught my eye. I look forward to watching history happen daily at the Rio 2016 Olympics and really, any sports fan could find a reason to watch. Especially since the Olympics crowns the "World's Greatest Athlete" each time (*cough* Ashton Eaton).
The Two GOATs of Gymnastics
Maybe I am biased, but nothing says Olympics quite like gymnastics taking the spotlight of athleticism. This year, legends will not be born but will be immortalized. In the women's team competition the heavy favorite is the US team led by Olympic veterans Gaby Douglas (London 2012 All-Around Champion) and Aly Raisman (team captain), but they aren't the legends. Simone Biles has won three straight World All-Around Titles and has cemented herself as one of the greatest female gymnasts ever. The one thing she is missing: Olympic Gold. If she wins the Olympic All-Around, it is my belief that she will be the GOAT of women's gymnastics. On the men's side, there is an even longer streak that could be continued. Japanese gymnast Kohei Uchimura has already won seven straight world titles (no other man has won more than three) and is already the GOAT, but now has a chance to repeat as Olympic champion, a feat that hasn't been accomplished since 1988-1992.
The Final Triumph of Kings
A king in the pool and a king on the track may be coming to their career finish lines at this Olympics. After retiring following the London 2012 games, Michael Phelps along with his record 22 medals have come out of retirement to compete at his fourth Olympics, and, barring another "comeback", likely his last one. On the track, the fastest man on Earth, Usain Bolt, will be competing yet again to keep that title but recent injuries have made his future questionable. He is noticeably slowing down but could win again in Rio though it may be his final moment of Olympic glory.
The New Rivalry
Along with gymnastics, diving is another sport where there is little attention given aside form the Olympic stage. The last image of diving from London 2012 was seeing the surprised and humbled face of US diver David Boudia winning Olympic gold and standing atop the podium with Chinese diver and heavy favorite Qui Bo standing to his right in second place. The question for the Rio Games is this: Can Boudia defend his championship or will Qui Bo brush aside his 2012 loss and win as is expected again. Let's also not count out Team GB diver Tom Daley who finished third in London and seventh in Beijing (as a 15 year old) and has competed well in events leading up to the games.
Athletes Without a Home
One of the major storylines socially and politically in Rio 2016 is the addition of 10 athletes who will be competing under the Olympic flag...not the flag of a country. These 10 athletes will be representing a refugee population but have been deemed fit for their chance at history. Six of these athletes are runners from embattled North African countries while Judo and Swimming will find a pair of athletes each competing under the Olympic Flag. Along with their athletic greatness, this story is one of social justice and perseverance to continue fighting for a dream while dealing with conflicts in their home nations. This narrative is historic and deserving of attention.
The Return of Golf...Kinda
Golf is returning to the Olympics for the first time since 1904. Yes, it has been more than 100 years since there has been a gold medalist in golf but now, as it returns, there isn't as much excitement from the golfers as you may think. In fact, 4 of the top 5 golfers in the world have officially withdrawn from the games many citing concerns over Zika virus (a validated health emergency in Brazil transmitted by mosquitoes). Rory McIlroy, one of these top 5, went further saying that even though Zika virus was his main reason for dropping out, it was never something that interested him to begin with. Without its top players, it will be interesting to see if golf catches its footing or if it will get stuck in a debilitating sand trap and left out of future Olympiads.
These are just a few of the many storylines that have caught my eye. I look forward to watching history happen daily at the Rio 2016 Olympics and really, any sports fan could find a reason to watch. Especially since the Olympics crowns the "World's Greatest Athlete" each time (*cough* Ashton Eaton).
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