My boyfriend is a peach: he’s been recording the parts of the 2012 Summer Olympics that he knows I will be interested in. Guess what that sport is? Duh, swimming. 🙂 If you aren’t impressed with the amazing skills of these athletes, I don’t know what could convince you. It’s exciting!
I’m probably a few days behind watching the sports but what I’ve seen so far has been fun to watch. I’ll admit, I’m a big Michael Phelps fan, so of course I’m rooting for him.
Synchronized Diving
I watched the synchronized diving and was so impressed with China! Those girls were identical in every way–they looked like robots! While diving has never been my favorite sport, I know exactly how hard it is to be good at synchronized swimming. It takes a lot of strength to hold poses for long, hold your breathe under water and be 100% in synch with your team. I did synchronized swimming for a few years as a kid and I marvel now that I was able to do it!
The diving with the spinning was absolutely beautiful to watch.
100m Fly
Dana Vollmer beat the world record for the 100 meter butterfly (55.98 seconds) and won the Gold Medal. Watching her made me wish that I could do the butterfly. It was beautiful and fluid.
What I noticed first about the women’s 100m Fly event was how different it was from the men’s. The men had more power in their upper body and were raised out the water higher than the women. I’d never noticed that before.
400meter
Lochte is the new favorite but I’m still a Phelps fan. It’s pretty exciting watching these two perform even though Phelps didn’t win. Ryan Lochte beat him by 4 seconds but as they were swimming I commented to Michael that Michael Phelps looked really good–conditioned, slender, strong.
There is a lot of hype around Lochte and a lot of questions about whether Phelps is on his way out. I really hope not, because he inspires me every day. (Check out this article: Why Ryan Lochte Will Always Be in Phelps’ Shadow.) But Lochte is the second fastest time in history–behind #1 Michael Phelps!
4×100 Swim Relay
By far, the most exciting part was the relay race. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. USA had the lead, thanks to Phelps. His long body, powerful stroke and speed had him as much as a body length ahead of everyone else. The other teammates continued the lead on their turn and then Lochte–picked to win–lost the lead they had. France won by a tiny fraction, disappointing.
If you missed my series on swimming, you can check it out here:
I’m loving the swimming events. I could nerd out all day long on it. What I want is a comprehensive breakdown of what these athletes eat.
Now I’m off to the pool to set my own world records! 🙂
QUESTION: Are you watching the Olympics? What is your favorite event?
Michelle @ Eat Move Balance
I am watching the olympics! Swimming is definitely something we’ve had on, but I REALLY like watching the gymnastics! So. Amazing. 🙂
Lisa Eirene
I haven’t seen much of the gymnastics yet. I bet it’s impressive.
Lisa @ Jogging on Coffee
I’m not a swimmer but I have been watching these events. I started tuning in just to see Ryan Lochte (thanks for posting a pic ;)) but then just kept watching!
Lisa Eirene
Haha! You’re welcome. My boyfriend rolls his eyes in annoyance whenever I post pictures of these swimmers. I’ve been a huge Phelps fan for years. 😀
Yum Yucky
China’s diving was awesome. And I loved the Brit’s swim suits. Fashion is important, ya know.
Lisa Eirene
China has been outstanding. I am thoroughly impressed with their near flawless-performances. That’s a lot to go up against!
Is it just me, or are the speedos teeny tiny??? 😉
Tina
I love the swimming as well! But that 4 x 100 was so disappointing for me (from Australia!) we’d set ourselves up as the team to beat in the heats and just didn’t make it! Just watched the 100 free where our superstar lost to the American by 1 100 th of a second! A bit intense.
Lisa Eirene
It was intense! SO CLOSE!! I like it when races are that close.
Lauren @ Sassy Molassy
I am in love with the diving! And yeah, the male swimmers aren’t too bad to look at. I can’t help, but feel like the media has portrayed lochte and phelps as some kind of ultimate athletes when several other countries have equally strong swimmers. Alas… love the Olympics!
Lisa Eirene
No they aren’t too bad to look at!!!
So far I haven’t been impressed with Lochte. Not like Phelps!
Colleen
Ha! I LOVE that first picture!
I was just stopping by to tell you that I nominated you for an award on my site. You don’t have to do it, no hard feelings, I know these things take up a lot of time. http://thechocolatemile.com/2012/08/and-the-winner-is/
Tiff
I watched diving for the first time last night, and wow! Those guys are incredible!
Thanks for linking to the swimming series. I’ll have to check some of those out. I need all the help I can get! 🙂
Lisa Eirene
They are incredible! Have you seen this girl: http://www.nbcolympics.com/news-blogs/swimming/u-s-wins-womens-4x200m-freestyle-relay.html ? Oh my god she was amazing!!
Alex @ Brain, Body, Because
How sweet of your husband! I love watching the gymnastics. They are SO strong!
Lisa Eirene
Have you ever done gymanstics?
Lisa
I love the Olympics, especially the Summer Games! I am so amazed at how hard each athlete works and the incredible things the human body can do. One thing that completely shocked me when watching the swimming was that the men swimming the 50 meter freestyle don’t even take a breath the whole time!! I can’t even go three strokes without taking a breath and they’re going 50 meters. That is just insane to me. What I like best about the Olympics is I can watch sports I would never have an interest in and be so into it. I love hearing the stories of all the different athletes, too.
Lisa Eirene
It really is incredible just how strong and athletic these people are. As for the breathing, I noticed that the women swimmers breathed every stroke. I was surprised by that!