Monday, August 18, 2008

Olympics

We love the Olympics at our house. We always watch them. In fact, when I was pregnant with Halle it was time for the summer Olympics. I had some strange craving disorder called pica (get it with all my pregnancies) and I wanted to lick the chalk right off those gymnasts' hands. Anyway we've been really excited for the Beijing Olympics to start because Jarom went there back in January 2007 and got lots of really cool Olympic paraphernalia for us. (Check out the Olympic sign on the hill behind Jarom in the picture below.)


Every Olympic year, I learn about a new event. Who knew there was more than gymnastics, swimming, and figure skating? (Okay, I'm not THAT dumb, but seriously, there are some strange events out there that never get televised.) This year, I learned about the "race walk".

I was laying in bed watching the live footage at midnight when I heard them announce the men's race walk. I didn't think anything about it really until I SAW the race begin. I about laughed my head off. They were speed walking. You know, like the little old ladies that practically mow you down in the mall? Speed walking is an Olympic event. Now, I'm really not making fun of them, I'm sure that they can "race walk" faster than I can run. But it seems like such a strange event for the Olympics. And watching men swing their hips and pump their arms like the ladies walking in my neighborhood came off as somewhat of a joke to me.

How about you did you know "race walking" was an Olympic event?

9 comments:

Miki said...

Loook how thin those guys are!! I want to be an old lady race walker now...in the mall...with purple hair.

Elena, what are we going to do when we have purple hair? lol...

All kidding aside, I will actually just be happy to MAKE IT to "purple hair stage" with eye sight that can SEE my purple hair. That means you've lived a life so full, and so well, that you get to indulge. You go girls....I mean...ladies!

becky ward said...

RACE WALKING?! that is awesome. i would have loved to have seen that. and elena...you CRACK ME UP!

Mama Williams said...

I had no idea, but that might be an event I can dream of competing in. My maiden name was Walker- ha! ha!
Did you know that this is the last Olympics for Softball and Baseball? (Cause the U.S.A dominates) But they're keeping Trampoline! Did you know that was an event? Hilarious!

Camille said...

Maybe I CAN be in the Olympics after all! Actually, I would be too slow, but my MOM! Wowie! I wish we had TV right now! I want to see the Olympics sooo badly! Also, on another note, I was always concerned about getting pica with my pregnancies because my entire life I have wanted to taste chalk. I think I was cured, at least somewhat, when my college professor got frustrated with our class during a boring lecture and ate a piece of chalk. Seriously chewed it up! It was hilarious! And he definately woke us all up!

Lee Ann said...

Ok, so I did know that. I remember watching the women four years ago. There was a big thing about the judging because they watch them really close to make sure they're walking, not running. One foot has to be on the ground at all times. Now don't we all feel a little smarter?

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

I did not know that. And then tonight, I learned that trampoline was an Olympic sport.

Jennifer P. said...

No---but I think it's almost harder to walk as fast as you can without running. That's probably the challenge! Most of them are kind of built like little old ladies though---skinny! skinny!

I've tried to watch the Olympics, but I keep falling asleep!

Don't lick chalk off anyone's hands now ;)! They might think it slightly inappropriate...

LouandAngela said...

I agree with Becky, you're hilarious! I love your observations. I didn't know about this particular event, but I noticed the trampoline. Camille's comment was funny too! Thanks for sharing!

The CEO said...

Hey there,
I knew about race walking, but tonight Brent introduced me to...Individual Dressage (horse dancing). The "gold medalist" in this event had a song specifically arranged just for this event...which only cost 80,000 dollars. Just getting the horse to China would probably take more money than I can imagine! Shanna