Mo's Wellness Blog

The XXX Olympiad


The opening ceremonies of the 2012 Summer olympics will be broadcast tonight at 7:30pm.


Will you be watching?


What memories do you have of previous games?
Do you remember the opening ceremonies from Beijing?
Do you recall Michael Phelps winning 8 gold medals?
Do you remember the boycott of 1980?
The hostage deaths of 1972?
Do you know the story of Jim Thorpe and the 1912 Olympics?


During the second half of the opening ceremonies we will get to see reminders of the Industrial Revolution.  The YMCA was founded during the Industrial Revolution in London in 1844 by George Williams as a place for young men (hence the name) to find respite and escape the activities very common in London at the time.  11 men started a bible study led by department store employee George Williams.  168 years later we still strive to meet our community needs.  An amazing history.


The Olympic games serve not only as the showcase for the world's most outstanding athletes, but also an opportunity to come together as one world. 


Think about what barriers sports break down. 


We will get to see approximately 17,000 athletes from 205 countries participating in 26 different sports.


The US delegation will be led by 2 time gold medalist fencer Mariel Zagunis of Beaverton, Oregon.  She will carry the US flag in the year of the 40th anniversary of Title IX which seems quite fitting.


I look forward to the show.