I’m sitting here in my parents’ kitchen, getting ready for two weeks of rest with my family (disclosure – I left four of my kids and my husband at home, hence the “rest” part…..as much as I miss them terribly already, this time with my “original” family is the time I look forward to every year to rejuvenate my mind and spirit).
Last night, after arriving, we sat down to watch some of the Olympics together, and I was mourning the fact that I haven’t had a chance to watch more of them. Could they really be coming to a close so soon?
Some of my favorite memories from this year’s Olympic Games include sharing excitement with my boys as we watched Gymnastics in our hotel room in New York City. This was the first Olympics that they really had a chance to enjoy, and I loved watching their faces glued to the TV, cheering for the athletes as they did something amazing.
I love that I happened to be watching, purely by accident, when Michael Phelps swam in his last event, and watching the US swimmers pull so far ahead and win Gold…again.
A few weeks ago, I asked several of my friends to share some of their best Olympics memories from years’ past. Here’s what they had to say:
Memories from past Olympic Games
You know, one of my fondest memories of my daughter’s father was in 1996 when we would literally watch the Olympics together with my family, every single day. There’s something about the Olympics that brings out the patriotism in everyone and they are something that an entire family can enjoy together. –Jennifer from The Rebel Chick
I was OBSESSED with Nadia Comaneci. I had never even heard of Romania, but I watched her soar over that vault and glide around the uneven bars like a graceful but powerful bird. I was mesmerized by her. I watched every performance, and begged my mom to find a white bodysuit with striped along the sides that I could wear to my own gymnastics classes. I clipped articles and pictures and hung them up in my room. Seeing her perfect 10s was an experience I’ll never forget. –Hillary from HacScrap
The races, events, and venues blend in my memories, but the opening ceremonies are always memorable. 96 Atlanta had Muhammad Ali shooting a burning arrow into the cauldron at the top of the stadium. Two of the archers who also shot arrows were disabled. It was a touching moment since Ali is a sports legend and quite disabled by Parkinson’s.
When my girls were 4 and 2 both took gymnastics classes at the Maryland gym where Dominique Dawes trained. A gymnast — Elise Ray — for the US 2000 Olympic team also trained at the gym. On the day we were there for classes, Elise Ray was practicing for the Olympics. In the time we were there she only did 2 vaults. It was interesting to see how much prep work she did between vaults…powdering hands, stretching, etc.
–Jill from Musings from Me
I know I am not alone in having had the biggest crush on Olympic Diver Greg Louganis. I also love the ‘how they got there’ stories. Most recently, as a mom, I watched the pure pride & joy on the face of the mom of Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps as she saw him break record after record. As a Coloradan, I can’t deny I am looking forward to sharing some feel-good stories and national pride as we cheer on Team USA. –Rajean from Rajean Blomquist
I was a swimmer so I was always fascinated by the swimming events. I watched every year, and was thrilled that I once got an autograph of Janet Evans in the mail! As a high school swimmer I got to train at a pool many Olympians trained it-it was like a dream come true! I know faithfully followed along as Dara Torres just missed making her 6th Olympic team-she inspired me to take up swimming again. –Kelly from The Centsible Life
In 1984 my family went on a month-long summer vacation in New England during the Olympics. That year, McDonalds was giving away free food for every Gold Medal won by USA (which was something like 83 gold medals). Let’s just say we ate a LOT of McDonalds!! –Andrea from Lil Kid Things
What have been your best Olympics memories over the years?
Note: All images except for the Instagram photo of my sons are from Wikimedia Commons – ie, the public domain. This is not a compensated post.
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