Matt McLeanAussie Aussie Aussie - Oi Oi Oi
August 13th 2008 11:35
The 2008 Beijing Olympics have crept up on us all. I don't think I was alone when I say that I was not buying into the hype leading up to these games and wasn't all that excited about watching them. But we are Aussies, and nothing keeps us from our sport!
I must admit, since the Opening Ceremony on Friday night - I have been glued to Channel 7, watching every possible minute and every possible event. As much as a sport fanatic as I am, I wouldn't think twice about changing the channel to avoid watching a swimming or equestrian meet, but there is something about the Olympics that changes all that in us. We feel like it is Australia versus the world and we cannot get enough of it! We are an extremely patriotic and proud country at the very worst of times, but an event such as the Olympic games emphasises this to an extent not even I can believe.
I sat in a food court of a busy Melbourne city building today, ate my lunch and watched on in absolute amazement as the building slowly filled up with spectator's beginning to position themselves around the few plasma screens. Everyone had poured in to see 20 year old Brisbane girl, Stephanie Rice, race for her second gold medal in the 200 metre individual medley. Anyone who saw the race will understand just how close and how tense the final few metres were. Rice was trailing all race and came from behind to win against all odds in true Australian style. The whole building of a few hundred people went up in an absolute roar as Stephanie's name flashed up on the screen as the winner. For a few minutes I swore I was part of the crowd at the Water Cube in Beijing. The roar of the crowd and sheer excitement and surprise of the victory sent a shiver down my spine and re-iterated in my mind that Australian's are amongst the most proud and passionate people in the world.
It is times and events like these that remind us how lucky we are and good it is to be an Aussie. Our country may not be anywhere near the size, and we may not have anywhere near the population of other countries - but that doesn't stop our elite athletes rubbing shoulders with the 'big boys' on the world's biggest stage. I think I speak for the whole of Australia when I say that this country has never been prouder or more inspired by its athletes. We are yet to pass the half way point of the games, and I am happy for them to never end. Get behind your heroes Australia - ride every bump, take every breath, and win every gold right there with them. Let's make this the most successful Olympics ever! Go you Aussies!
Over and out.
I must admit, since the Opening Ceremony on Friday night - I have been glued to Channel 7, watching every possible minute and every possible event. As much as a sport fanatic as I am, I wouldn't think twice about changing the channel to avoid watching a swimming or equestrian meet, but there is something about the Olympics that changes all that in us. We feel like it is Australia versus the world and we cannot get enough of it! We are an extremely patriotic and proud country at the very worst of times, but an event such as the Olympic games emphasises this to an extent not even I can believe.
I sat in a food court of a busy Melbourne city building today, ate my lunch and watched on in absolute amazement as the building slowly filled up with spectator's beginning to position themselves around the few plasma screens. Everyone had poured in to see 20 year old Brisbane girl, Stephanie Rice, race for her second gold medal in the 200 metre individual medley. Anyone who saw the race will understand just how close and how tense the final few metres were. Rice was trailing all race and came from behind to win against all odds in true Australian style. The whole building of a few hundred people went up in an absolute roar as Stephanie's name flashed up on the screen as the winner. For a few minutes I swore I was part of the crowd at the Water Cube in Beijing. The roar of the crowd and sheer excitement and surprise of the victory sent a shiver down my spine and re-iterated in my mind that Australian's are amongst the most proud and passionate people in the world.
It is times and events like these that remind us how lucky we are and good it is to be an Aussie. Our country may not be anywhere near the size, and we may not have anywhere near the population of other countries - but that doesn't stop our elite athletes rubbing shoulders with the 'big boys' on the world's biggest stage. I think I speak for the whole of Australia when I say that this country has never been prouder or more inspired by its athletes. We are yet to pass the half way point of the games, and I am happy for them to never end. Get behind your heroes Australia - ride every bump, take every breath, and win every gold right there with them. Let's make this the most successful Olympics ever! Go you Aussies!
Over and out.
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