Loveday Writing

WEARING THE OLYMPIC RINGS ON MY FINGER: GOING TO THE OLYMPICS FOR THE FIRST TIME

After reading Rachael Lucas’ contribution on her experience on seeing the Hockey at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, it gave me the idea to share my own experience of seeing the Gymnastics and the Softball at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

I was 10 years old, my older brother, Nathan was 14 and our Aunty Sue generously offered and paid for us to go to the Olympics with her. We both had to go to bed and get a good sleep at an unprecedented early bed time as we had to catch the train at midnight so that we would arrive at Grand Central Station by 7am.

We saw the Gymnastics first, in particular the female Artistic Gymnastics. Our seats were so high up that although we did see the gymnasts; I did have to look up at the screen to see the action more clearly. That being said, I enjoyed every minute of it and cringed at witnessing a Chinese gymnast break her leg on the balance beam when I’m sure a well-practiced, signature summersault went awry.  There were Americans, French, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, you-name it tourists and avid Olympics lovers in the crowd with an endless amount of energy and cheer. I also remember that day being uncharacteristically hot for September and running through artistic sprinklers on the street looking like an idiot, in an effort to feel some relief.

Nathan and I went through the same early-bedtime-getting-on-the-train-at-midnight process all over again a week later to see the Softball (which I now appreciate more since Softball was taken out of the Olympics after the Beijing 2008 Olympics). This time the day was uncharacteristically cold for September, hence Nathan and I wearing jackets. When we got to the softball, it rained and we sat in our seats wearing plastic ponchos. The energy of the crowd, as well as the size of the crowd itself was much bigger, despite the miserable weather. The Mexican Wave was more of a circle as the crowd loved doing it over and over again, of course at ten years old, I had no idea what it was called and why people were doing it, but being the Olympics, I just went along with it. I remember we were meant to see a few games. Japan vs. Australia and I think Japan vs. United States. We saw the first game; however we didn’t get to see it all, as I had a headache. Aunty Sue took me to the first-aid tent and I got Panadol syringed into my mouth as it was only a day trip, we didn’t anticipate any headaches or other illnesses.

What I love the most about not only the Sydney Olympics, but the Olympics in general, other than seeing the sports themselves, is seeing people of so many different nationalities, of almost every nationality in the world come together, in harmony and joy, without ulterior motives. It’s a shame that only happens once every four years.

Bring on Rio!