TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

It Took My Breath Away

ADVERTISEMENT

By Norm Cukras | Highlands Today

Published: August 16, 2008

Every time I see gymnastics on the TV, I can't help but think of Kathy Rimer. Kathy, along with her husband Jim, is the owner-operator of Get-A-Grip gymnastics' school in Sebring. She also owned the boutique Iris and Butterflies on the Circle, which she closed earlier this year so she could concentrate on her newer youth oriented venture.

You can't start any conversation about this year's Olympics without the preamble of: "Did you see the opening ceremonies?" "It took my breath away," Kathy said of the spectacle that started at 8 minutes past 8:00 on the eighth day of August 2008. Her analysis was the frosting on the cake of superlatives used by the media. Among the others were: incredible, stunning, spectacular, indescribable and my favorite, jaw dropping.

It was an unparalleled performance that took years to choreograph and a blank check that some estimate was filled in to the tune of $300 million. That's one big check. If you missed it, the event, which was held in the newly built 91,000-seat stadium dubbed the "Bird's Nest" because of its unique construction, started with the synchronized playing of drums – 2008 of them. As the 1¼ hour presentation unfolded viewers were treated to, among other acts, precision dancing of 2008 performers as well as a demonstration of Tai Chi by 2008 masters of the art. In total there were 15,000 performers outnumbering the 12,000 athletes who are representing 204 countries. The overall event was highlighted by 29,000 fireworks. It's no wonder observers ran out of adjectives to describe the host county's efforts to impress their visitors.

We even witnessed a torchbearer "walking on air" to light the Olympic torch which will remain burning until the closing ceremonies on the 24th. Clearly, as Olympic opening ceremonies go, China gets the gold.

A Lifetime Commitment
Once we got past our critiques of the opening ceremonies Kathy and I got around to discussing her impression of the gymnastics competition. "It is absolutely phenomenal, absolutely wonderful," she said with her signature exuberance. She gave all of her current 34 students copies of the gymnastic schedules so they could watch the events.

Training athletes for the Olympics is different from the training found in training centers around the country. While some of Kathy's students are "very, very, very good" it's doubtful any will make an Olympic team. Training for the Olympics she says is a lifetime commitment. Families move or are split apart so the athletic hopeful can train with the right coach. One interviewed swimmer mentioned having been home just two weeks during the past year. The theme of Beijing 2008 is "One World One Dream." I would think that there are many of us who share the one dream of being an Olympic athlete. But there are very, very, very few of us willing or able to make the commitment.

Random Olympic Ramblings
I thought the American team was much more disciplined during their entry into the stadium this Olympics. In some past events they looked like an unruly mod. Also Bob Costas looks better disciplined than during past events. His hair is combed instead of hanging "stylishly?" unruly on his forehead. I was happy to see President Bush in attendance. I mentioned before that his appearance in Beijing should be interpreted as a show of support for the participants as well as an opportunity to discuss world conditions with other leaders not as a sign of approval for the policies of China.

Regardless if it is considered un-American or not I can't help but root for some of the other athletes. They all work so hard to get there you'd like to see them all bring home a medal. I can't help to wonder if those brief-briefs the women beach volleyball players wear are for the benefit of the participants or the audience.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT