Top 8 Reasons To Be Excited About the Olympics

8.) 8-8-08 is a lucky day for the Chinese people, in fact the number eight is a very lucky number for them which might strike fear into the Olympians from the United States, it would, if the Chinese were the only people to have eight on their side. We have the number eight on our side too, it’s called eight chances for Michael Phelps to go Gold, giving him the chance to become the most decorated Olympian of all time.

7.) Women’s Gymnastics: There I said it!! I am excited that our women’s gymnastics team has a shot at winning the gold this year. There probably won’t be any Kerry Strug moments this time around, but we’re back to a spot where we are contenders. This is a big Chinese event typically and what better way to show our prowess then to take away the gold on their stage…now that’s competition!!

6.) Bob Costas: Doesn’t it seem like they dust off our broadcasting friend every couple of years to be the headlining announcer for the Olympics and then they put him neatly back in a box and shelve him for two years until the next Olympics. OK, not true, they bring him out if they need a baseball “expert.” What a waste, this man is one of the most talented broadcasters of our generation and he is so underutilized it’s not even funny.

5.) Protesters being arrested for not having a permit to protest. The games haven’t even begun yet and we’ve already had a couple of incidents. Imagine what it will be like for the opening ceremonies and beyond, it will be bedlam. I am excited to see how the Chinese government reacts and in turn how the rest of the world reacts.

4.) USA Basketball Team: Supposedly the best team we have fielded since 1992 and some have argued even better then the Dream Team. Let’s not get too excited, a team with Larry, Magic and Michael on it will never be matched. However, this 2008 team does have an excellent chance to bring home the gold that is rightfully ours. Just as long as they don’t screw it up.

3.) Dara Torres made her Olympic debut in 1984 at the Los Angeles Olympics and has since gone on to win nine medals. She has a chance in the Bejiing Olympics to bring home two more medals and to best her record as the oldest swimming gold medalist. The current record is 33 years old, if Torres were to win gold again in 2008, she would do it at the ripe old age of 41.

2.) The Olympic Fanfare and Theme: This is the best “theme” music for any sporting event ever. It’s followed closely I will admit by CBS’ song for the Final Four and the theme music they used in the 80’s for the Celtics/Lakers championships, but the Olympic Fanfare and Theme takes the cake. There is something to be said about watching a full night of Olympic coverage and then they run a highlights reel, just before they get off the air to the Olympic Fanfare and Theme, it just gives you goose bumps.

1.) USA! USA! USA!!: That’s right. How could you not be excited by the many milestones that we are on the brink of achieving? Michael Phelps, Dara Torres, women’s gymnastics, men’s basketball…and I didn’t even mention once, track and field. The Olympics are here and I can hardly contain my excitement!!