Usually the dog days of August are pretty slow when it comes to sports. Fortunately for the avid sports fans in 2008 we have had the Olympics to add a little spice to our sports entertainment. What an Olympics this has been as well. Numbers wise for NBC in the first week they should be kissing the very large feet of Michale Phelps. If not for his amazing performances they certainly would not have had the big ratings that they have had.
The amount of world records that have been set in these Olympics has been staggering. Just in the swimming events alone there were more world records set than in the prior two Olympics combined. There have also been some really good stories of drama to keep the Olympics in the news through out the two weeks of coverage. Which thankfully has been refreshing as it appeared when we started out that all the news media would be focusing on the politics of Chiina and not the athletes stories.
Without a doubt though the two biggest stories to come out of China are Michael Phelps for swimming in the first week. Which was just phenomenal to watch a single person not only set world records but to also help his relay teams to achieve golds as well. Eight for eight was simply and amazing story to unfold and watch.
The other incredible story started in the second week of the Olympics for the track and field events with Usain Bolt from Jamaica. Simply put one of the greatest performances in the track and field events of the Olympics. He completed a sweep of every event he was in. Not only winning both the 100m and 200m events plus the 4×100m relays, but winning the events with a speed that simply has never been seen before. He managed to destroy both world records for the 100m and 200m and made it look easy too. Then helping his relay team to set a new world record as well.
So thank you to the Olympics of 2008 for getting the sport watching addict through the dog days of summer. The end of the Olympics brings us two weeks closer to pennant races for major league baseball and the beginning of the new NFL season. Bring on the fall season of sports!
