OUR GIRLS / THE FAB FIVE

Pardon me while I get another tissue.  Last night was rough.  I was busy pulling our girls through half way around the world in London.  I was reminded once more why the Olympic Games are worth the 4 year wait.  Each one has their extra special moments and memories and last night was among the best. 

Jordyn,Kyla, Aly, Gabby and Air Maroney firmly fixed themselves in the memory bank of everyone watching.  This group, ranging from 15 year old Kyla to the sage and seasoned veteran Aly at 18, put a choke hold on everyone’s heart. 

I had kids their age.  I have grandkids their age.  How in God’s name do you put kids that age under that kind of pressure without them wilting like an un-watered flower?  They are barely able to drive legally and here they are on the world’s stage, millions watching every move, performing precision routines as if they are in their own back yards on a summer day.  And heaven help those whose performance brought them to tears.  Television camera’s searched them out relentlessly and stayed in their face an eternity.  Try that sometime when you want to choke somebody. 

I marveled at their poise as they stood steely eyed and intently focused on their next routine.  Unlike most sports that require acts of aggression, gymnastics requires extreme control of muscles and nerves while wanting to burst with emotion. 

All of the 4 disciplines require great skill but I am especially awed by the balance beam.  Its obvious why this event is absent from the men’s competition but is there a more difficult task in any sport?  Doing a flip and landing on a 4 inch wide plank several feet in the air has to rank right up there.  This event alone must sustain the home town orthopedic community.

Gabby with the beautiful smile, pillar of strength Jordyn, youthful Kyla, queen of the vault Maroney and leader Aly make me very proud of our girls.  Aly was the capper with a flourishing finish where she bounced halfway to the ceiling while simultaneously breaking into her victory smile. 

While all this was going on TV kept cutting “back to the pool”.  Having recently had shoulder replacement surgery I cringed and reached for the Aleeve while watching the swimmers flail their arms while loosening up.  Ouch!!  Michael Phelps did his thing again as the anchor man of the relay team providing another memorable moment as he set the record for most Olympic medals.  Our girls have several swimming gold medals and all is well in the water.

To those complaining about TV coverage and excessive commercials, get a life.  The coverage has been fantastic.  The close-ups provide an insight into the human side of sports you can’t see from the stands.  It is almost as if you are going through the emotion with the athlete.  What a small price to pay that we have commercials that bring all this to us with flair, expert commentary and fascinating back stories.  And while I am at it, I love the commercials.  They are provided by some of the best advertising minds in the business.  They are creative and entertaining and everything good about our country, the best of the best.

I can’t wait for the next memorable Olympic moment.