Farewell Beijing Olympics, looking forward to the 2012 London Games

August 24, 2008 by Dennis Amith

The Olympic Games has concluded and for 16 days, we watched athletes all over the world compete in the world’s grandest stage.

We watched Michael Phelps set records, the Redeem Team bring back the gold for the USA, we have seen Dara Torres in her early 40’s (the first swimmer to compete in the Olympics over 40-years-old, and her fifth Olympics) come close to another gold medal, men’s volleyball bounce back from tragedy to win the gold, women’s soccer win another and so many competitions that will definitely stick into my mind.

In the end, the USA scored the most medals and China as expected won the most gold medals. China’s dedication in the Olympics showed as the diving team was flawless, gymnastics (despite the criticism and rumors surrounding the age of the athletes) did a phenomenal job.

I also was awed by the speed of the Jamaican’s especially with Usain Bolt and beating Michael Johnson’s 200m record.

I have to say that I’m a bit disappointed to hear softball and baseball to be removed from the Olympic games for the next two Olympics. This is not a sport dominated the the US, this is a sport that people enjoyed competing worldwide and to find out these two sports are being eliminated temporarily is a surprise. Japan won the softball gold and S. Korea for the baseball gold and the close competitions are examples of why the sport should remain.

Now why are the two sports being eliminated? According to news articles, baseball and softball is not watched in Europe and seven of the eight International Olympic Committee (IOC) presidents have hailed from Europe.

It’s bad enough that unlike basketball, professional players are unable to compete. Could you imagine pro’s from the USA, Japan, Korea, Cuba, etc. competing in the Olympics, granted the games are during Baseball season and not sure how that would have played out but that would have been amazing.

But then there are really ridiculous rules such as, if there is an 11th inning, two people are put on bases and the team up to hit can select anyone to hit the ball. Granted, an interesting way to eliminate long matches I suppose.

But baseball and softball, no more for the next two Olympics? Surprising isn’t it?

Overrall, I felt that this Summer’s Olympic games were exciting to watch and with the games heading to the London for 2012, that’s definitely going to be quite interesting and quite exciting.