Grover posted this today and it got the bloggers chatting about what our Olympic events would be. In our dreams, of course. No prior experience needed! And zero expectations of excelling.
- Nicole: Summer biathlon would be cool. If my legs were faster, the marathon!
- Sam: I’m in for hammer throw! Rugby 7s? Maybe rowing, definitely track cycling
- Natalie: Because I can’t do them at all but love them so much–Breaking, Skateboarding, BMX Freestyle
- Savita: Table tennis! Looks like fun!!
- Diane: Swimming is too obvious a choice for me so I’ll go with dressage. Watching those horse and rider teams practically dancing around the arena is magical. I ride just enough to know how much hard work goes into making it look easy. I wouldn’t mind having the quick twitch muscles to play badminton either. I played with competitive folks back in high school and it was fun! I know it’s only supposed to be one choice, but I kind of want to do the things non-athletes mock for being too “girly”: all forms of gymnastics plus artistic swimming, possibly the most demanding sport at the Olympics.
- Elan: Nothing like doing sports for the first time I’ve always wanted to try…at the Olympics! So I’m with Natalie on Breaking and BMX freestyle. I’d also do surfing. I feel like hanging out with the athletes in all these sports would be fun.
- Amy: I’d go for swimming or diving (or both). I’ve always loved watching the swimmers and divers and when I was little I would daydream (swim-dream) about becoming one.
- Catherine: I’d love to compete in a newly formed biathlon: shot put and cross country mountain biking. I was so impressed by Jolien Boumkwo, the Belgian shot putter who ran hurdles last summer because everyone on her team as sick and they needed the participation points. I’d like to show off my versatility (such as it is) by throwing around heavy things (iron balls and me-plus-bike) in very different environments. If you missed Boumkwo’s performance, you can read about it here: https://fitisafeministissue.com/2023/06/27/meet-our-newest-sports-hero-jolien-boumkwo-belgian-shot-putter-and-substitute-hurdler/
- Tracy: I get a rush whenever I watch the swimming, so I’m going to say any of the swimming events other than butterfly. The strength and grace of the swimmers makes me feel happy everytime I watch them gliding through the water. And I’ve swum enough to know how good that feels. But let’s be real — I do not think I would “excel” in swimming!
- Cate: I’ve always fantasized about being tall and powerful enough to row in doubles. My sister has a friend who has a medal in rowing and I’m always in awe. But like Tracy, let’s be real — I don’t think I’d excel at it in real life, not least of which is that I hate getting up early and I hate cold water lol
- Christine: I’m tempted to say Taekwondo but that seems like cheating a bit (even though Olympic TKD is a different style than the one I do) so I’ll pick fencing or archery. I mean, it’s a good idea to build up transferable skills in case I ever become a superhero, right?
Olympic Fencing!
Maybe gymnastics if I could limit it to uneven parallel bars. Then again, maybe spectator…