Karla's Kolumn: Entertained by the Olympics

Some years I can take or leave the Olympics or half-hearted watch. This year though I have enjoyed watching it more than in years past.

I cannot tell you what has changed or why this Olympics is different than years past. What I can tell you is some of the fun moments I have enjoyed over the past week or so.

Let’s start with the trampoline first. I wanted to watch that because I did not pay attention last time and I am amazed at the athleticism and artistry of these men and women. I remarked to my husband “just think if my high school would not have banned trampoline in P.E., I could have been an Olympian.”

OK, there was a lot of other things that probably would have held me back, like sheer lack of athleticism, but still, a girl can dream right.

Monday I thought I’d take a glance at speed climbing. Boring. But the climbing (boulder) competition. Wow.

I did not have the sound on, just video and these climbers were struggling making it to the second hold based on the angles. It’s timed and several times I would see climbers throw their hands up in the air out of frustration or get angry, grab their gear and walk out before the allotted time.

Then there was the canoe race where they can choose a side down the rapids to get around one of the pylons and one canoer goes to the right and the other three collide with each other all going to the left. Comical for me, not for them.

And there’s everybody’s favorite “dad joke” with water polo. “How come the horses don’t drown?” But seriously have you watched water polo. Those swimmers are some of the best athletes in my book.

There have been many inspirational moments as well. When Scottie Scheffler won the gold medal in golf and cried on the podium during the playing of the national anthem. Playing and winning for his country meant something to him.

Of course, gymnastics is one of my favorites. Not necessarily my husband’s. On Sunday evening when I was watching the replay of the men’s pommel horse.

Alan: What’s this?

Me: Gymnastics.

Alan: I thought gymnastics was over?

Me: That was just team and all-around, now it’s the individual apparatus competitions.

Alan: *Shakes his head.

Speaking of gymnastics. We know Simon Biles is one of, if not the greatest of all time but we learned in this Olympics that Brazil has their own GOAT in Rebeca Andrade who took gold in the floor exercise over Biles and Jordan Chiles.

Biles and Chiles recognized the greatness on the podium. As one announcer said greatness recognizes greatness.

Perhaps the greatest inspiration is how the athletes have supported one another, no matter what country they are from. They cheer greatness, they celebrate and they recognize heartbreak.

Oh look, women’s boulder climbing on Thursday. That should be fun. And rhythmic gymnastics. Alan will be thrilled.