Skip to main content

Olympics 2016: Diversity and Dominance Ruling Week 1


For some reason, the Olympics have taken my attention by storm. The event sort of crept up on me without much anticipation, but has become a mainstay on my nightly television despite some self-sabotaging efforts from NBC. More on that in a bit. Regardless, here are some quick takeaways from the first week of action.

 - How freakin' amazing is Michael Phelps? At the point of this writing, Phelps sits at 22 Gold Medals (26 overall). Let me say that again, that's twenty-two freakin' gold medals! One is a major accomplishment for any athlete. Two is extraordinary. Mmmmmm, we can say four is legendary. Phelps has twenty two. Twenty flippin two! 

The more you watch Phelps in his races, and the metal focus he embodies that comes before his races (see: #PhelpsFace), the more I realize how lucky we are to witness this era of sheer Olympic dominance. Amazing stuff. 


- Staying with swimming, Katie Ledecky is just as amazing, right? It's like she has become this Olympic's version of Missy Franklin. By the way, what's up with Franklin? Yikes. 

- I'm going to be honest, I don't know much about Gymnastics. Quite frankly, I always cringe when I hear the commentators criticize small infractions and magnify the intimacies of the sport. To me, it's all amazing. Even more so when my exercise science background is used as a lens for my viewpoint. These athletes are unreal, especially the United States women's team, aka The Final Five, who do are the epitome of hard work and exceptional God-given talent. 

Despite their dominance, I am more in awe and appreciation of the diversity of the group. It's a great representation of what should be an example of the potential strength of our country if social justice were not a thorn in our existence and history as a nation. 

- Speaking of diversity, kudos to Simone Manuel. She is now the first black swimmer to ever medal in the Olympics for the United States. An absolutely awesome accomplishment. In my view, the biggest and most wide reaching moment of the Olympics yet. 


Between the Final Five and Simone Manuel, little girls everywhere, of all types of intersectionalities and backgrounds, especially those of color, have real examples of what is now possible, and undoubtedly, will be inspired. 

- Disappointed in the United States women's soccer team. Let's leave it at that. 

- Finally, what's with the NBC coverage of the Olympics? The coverage just seems all over the place in terms of presentation. Why would NBC air the fantastic performance of the Final Five at 10:30pm? Wouldn't that be something little girls would love to see? And I understand where I live, and all of that "Go USA" spirit, but can we equally present athletes of other countries? 

I don't know. I just feel that in a world of in-demand television and the far lengths networks go in presenting sporting events and leagues - cough*NFL*cough - more can be done to bring us the events, games, and stories involved in the Olympics. 

Recent Favorites

Dome Pondering Movie Review: The After (2023)

What is it about? In a short film, a grieving man confronts his past when he comes face-to-face with a passenger.  Who is in it? David Oyelowo - Dayo Jessica Plummer - Amanda Amelie Dokubo - Laura  Favorite Scene: It's an extremely short film, so...the final few moments.  Favorite Quote:  None. (not much dialogue) Review: This eighteen-minute masterpiece is amazing. You're absolutely taken on this ride of emotions that ultimately leaves you with a great realization of questioning what we value in life.  The lead character, in eighteen minutes, is powerful. His grief is carried through the film, exploding at the end. It very much leaves the viewer with so many questions - what was his life before the tragedy? What was his life after that moment? Did he ever reconnect with that family? Did he rediscover happiness?  Again, a very, VERY, powerful eighteen minutes that will jolt the heart, mind, and soul about life, what is important, and what we overvalue in its place.  Grade: 4/5

2024 NBA All-Star Weekend Thoughts

There's something wrong with the All-Star Game.  Yeah, we've definitely had this conversation before. Expect to pick up this very discussion (again) in July when Major League Baseball has their version in the "Mid-Summer Classic" when it is the ONLY current topic to bounce around in the stratosphere of sports discourse.  What's wrong with the All-Star Game?!  I'm not dismissing the obvious - yes, the NBA All-Star Game is very much at an alarming point of necessary refinement and change - evaluation is needed. What we saw on Sunday night was not disappointing, but outright embarrassing. Also yes, gone are the days when the game flooded your television screen at a respectable 6:30pm on NBC, and you were wowed by the athleticism and star power of the first half of the game, and treated to what felt like the world's best players playing pickup basketball on the grandest stage.  Now? Not so much. So yeah, we got the message. The outrage - and shock TV and hot t

Quick Ponder: Daily Armor

Imagine, if we can see the dents and scratches, the smashes and chaos,  on the daily armor, each of us put on. Just imagine.