Going for the Gold: Olympic Excitement as a Family Affair

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 29: Michael Phelps of the United States looks on dejected as the Relay team from France celebrates after France won the Final of the Men's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay on Day 2 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on July 29, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)I recently heard some guy on the radio joke that only women really watch the Olympics. Men, he insisted, just want to hear the medal count after the events. Although said in jest, I was taken aback. What a sad commentary on the one event that truly brings family around the world together!

On the contrary, I believe the Olympics are a family affair. The games provide a wonderful opportunity for the entire family to sit in front of the boob tube cheering for the incredible American athletes who represent this wonderful country.

I know, you may think it sounds a bit sappy but think about it. The Olympics offer the best kind of reality programming. It may be the only time the whole family is actually rooting for the same team. The lessons learned watching these incredible athletes compete are probably too many to list. To begin with they demonstrate that with hard work, commitment, and confidence, anything is possible.

At a time when many believe we are living in the generation of ‘gimme’ where competition is not always seen as politically correct, the Olympics remind us that practice makes progress,  and that dreams really can come true no matter who you are or where you come from.