Which Olympic athlete have you been watching the most?
By Amber
@AmbiePam (94170)
United States
August 13, 2008 12:04pm CST
Well, if you're from the United States like me, you can't help hearing about Michael Phelps and the amazing things he has accomplished. I've definitely made an effort to catch his competitions, as well as many other athletes, and the ones I check out aren't always Americans. But of course most of them are. I'm curious to see if the US "Redeem" Team can win the basketball gold. What I really got excited about was watching the swimming relay when the Americans were behind in the last leg of the race. And then the American, Lezak (his 4th Olympics), caught up to the French guy (who had said they would "smash" the Americans in this race) and won the whole thing. I was just so amazed that guy came back from being behind. I was more excited for Lezak than Phelps. lol
Are there any particular Olympians you are paying special attention to? I'm not watching the events 24/7, but I do like to watch some of it.
4 people like this
19 responses
@luvstochat (6907)
• United States
13 Aug 08
I don't watch much of the Olympics I did watch the US Mens and Womens team finals in gymnastics and I have seen Micheal Phelps swim about 4 races boy can that boy swim! I wonder if he will get as many golds as he is trying for.
3 people like this
@vera5d (4005)
• United States
13 Aug 08
I do not really like watching the Olympics (though it's good for putting me to sleep, as sad as that is!)
My hubby though has been watching it non stop as soon as he comes home from work - he likes to watch phelps & the swimming the most too (most likely since he used to swim in competition in high school & was actually state champion for awhile!)
In general, I like the winter Olympics more - the ice skating, the skiing, etc.
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
13 Aug 08
At first I just wasn't into the olympics. I thought Bejing was about as poor a choice as Hitler's Berlin and I was sick of hearing about how America was finished as a super power and the French would "smash" us and the Chinese would leave us in the dust. But then Michael Phelps happened and I got caught up in it and it feels so good to do some good old fashioned flag waving. What touched me the most I think, was seeing the American basketball team at the pool when Phelps and his crew swam the 400 meter relay. Those NBA mega millionaires aren't exactly known for participating in the Olympic experience. But there they were, just as awed by Phelps as the rest of us. One of the commentators said that he thought taking part in the Olympic experience for a change could only make the basketball players a better team and I agree.
2 people like this
@Fishmomma (11377)
• United States
13 Aug 08
I watch all the swimming events, as its my favorite event. Its amazing to see all the fast times this year with so many record breaking times. Michael has been impressive and he is my favorite, but I enjoy watching the events where you must depend on others for a medal. The team work and seeing others shake hands at the end of a hard fought swim is wonderful.
2 people like this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
13 Aug 08
I think it's amazing what Michael Phelps has accomplished. I try to catch a few of my favorite events like gymnastics..swimming etc. But like you I don't get a chance to see them all the time.....but I can tell you right now...I am very proud to be an American!!
2 people like this
@ellie333 (21016)
•
13 Aug 08
Hi AmbiePam, I must admit that it is the swimming that I have been watching the most myself and even though in the UK have been watching Michael Phelps as he is just so good. Our UK girls done really well too though and will be looking out for them. I watched the Georgia/Russia volleyball too early as even though countries at war the sport still continued on as sport I am pleased to say. Have seen highlights from all sorts but the water sports are my favourites. Ellie :D
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
14 Aug 08
I was watching Michael Phelps when I did watch. I am not a sports fan, but to have won five medals, or was it more? I stopped counting. Other than that, then worrying if the girls did not fall off the balancing bar, I was mostly hear on myLot, typing away or doing other things. I am not into the Olympics, hate the commercials. The only Olympic sport I love is the figure skating and that is because there is music and it is more like dancing.
1 person likes this
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
13 Aug 08
I think just about everyone in the US is watching Phelps. I've always enjoyed watching the swimming teams and he's awesome isn't he? I'm not a big Olympics fan either but that's one that I pay the most attention to.
@Bluepatch (2476)
• Trinidad And Tobago
13 Aug 08
I'm not truly a sports person but Trinidad has this swimmer who lost his race, well, he was never really the very, very best, but he lost anyway and the papers here have this huge headline - his best was not good enough.
Now thats a really sour thing to say about your rep in the olympics.
The lack of respect is appalling.
1 person likes this
@Bertman410 (302)
• United States
13 Aug 08
Phelps is a Dolphin! I have watched all of his swims and I did watch the relay where the American came from behind to win gold. That was the closest race he has been in so far in his first 5 events. I also am intersted in the Mens basketball team. I like the NBA and I know how good all them players are and there is no reason why they should not win the gold. I have also watched some of the mens and womens soccer matches too. And I didn't watch but saw some replies of the Womens USA softball team and there doing well. I like all the events I try to watch as many as possible. GO USA!
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (94170)
• United States
14 Aug 08
Can you believe that softball is going to be taken out in the next Olympics in 2012 in London? America has always won gold, and this is definitely a sport the IOC felt like they could get rid of. They are going to allow BMX bike stunts, but not softball.
@auntiedis (165)
• United States
14 Aug 08
I too, have jumped on the Michael Phelps bandwagon. I was watching the news coverage of the Olympics yesterday and they were doing a little blurb on the calories that Phelps eats DAILY. 12,000!!!! The list they had, and the food, was like a buffet for 10 people in my house. Two large pizzas, tons of energy drinks, three huge sandwiches. The man is absolutely amazing!
1 person likes this
@ronacruz2007 (650)
• Philippines
14 Aug 08
Im from the Philippines but i really like Michael Phelps because his really good. Dream team also although they have a tough time beating the Greece just about an hour ago anyway they still win. I cheer for the Philippines team everyone of them although we loses from swimming and boxing.
@LouiseKnittel (4764)
• United States
13 Aug 08
Yes I saw that he made up a lot of ground under the water! It was awesome! Go USA! woo hoo!
@debu004 (182)
• India
14 Aug 08
Well I have been watching the swimmer Michael Phelps the most.Another guy who is in news all the time in our country is Abhinav Bindra who bought the first individual gold medal for the country and made our country proud.Salute to Abhivan Bindra for your contribution !!!
1 person likes this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
13 Aug 08
Phelps first and foremost. But now that he has the record for the most medals ever I am paying more attention to the gymnastic teams. Sad America lost and especially sad that it was Alicia Sacremone's 2 falls etc that caused the close race for gold to be decided. A sad way to lose the gold I say. Now I am waiting for the mens and womens individual competitions to start.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
1 person likes this
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
14 Aug 08
Hi Ambie,
[i]I have seen that also and very proud of what the USA team especially the last swimmer, Lezak for that great effort he have done! it's amazing and I can see the disappointed faces of those French guys who were swearing to smash the Americans...LOL!
I am not also watching 24/7 but I am trying to follow the volleyball, gymnastic as well as swimming![/i]
1 person likes this
@arcidy (5005)
• United States
13 Aug 08
Yeah ive been watching phelps to even though ive never heard of him till last week lol. But hes made me like watching swimming. I never watched swimming before untill now. I just like how they look like fish I find it pretty funny. I didnt even know you could win more then one medal I think the basketball team can only win one just like the baseball soccer and I guess any team sports but I really dont know that much about the olympics anyway.
1 person likes this
@sweetiesana (18)
• United States
14 Aug 08
My favorite two sports in the Olympics are swimming and gymnastics. I also loved watching the synchronized diving section. I found it amazing how two divers can become one and do such a spectacular job. In swimming, I've got my eye on Michael Phelps from the United Sates. He is hoping to achieve eight medals at these games and i believe he already has five. He has done an amazing job! Go Michael!
I can't wait to watch tomorrow night!
1 person likes this
