USA! USA! USA!

Right now thousands of people are filing into the Bird Nest stadium in Beijing for the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics. Tonight we will get to watch in our living rooms. I can hardly wait. I love the Olympics. And cheesy, I know, but I will probably cry at least a dozen times over the next 17 days.

There has been so much controversy over these Olympics, and they haven't even started. From air quality, to humanitarian effort to allowing Iraq to compete to President Bush representing the United States to cheap diet pills. And the list goes on. But in all honesty those are not what the premise of these games are about. It is about 11,000 athletes over the next 17 days coming together to represent their countries –– peacefully. It is about the sweat, blood and tears shed by 11,000 people to get to where they are today. It is about the 246 medals that will be given out. (Figure that statistic out. 11,000 people only 246 medals)

In the end the 2008 Olympics will change lives. The lives of the athletes, the lives of the people of China and even lives of people sitting in their living room watching. Somewhere tonight, the next Michael Phelps, Shawn Johnson and Tyson Gay will be watching the kick off of these games and not even realize just how much their lives will be changed.

If you need me over the next 17 days you will find me glued to my TV set and online feeds . I cannot wait to watch the swimming, gymnastics, diving, beach volleyball and track and field. I am waiting to hear stories that will tug on my heartstrings. And I am hoping to shed lots of tears as we hear the American Anthem played as our flag is hoisted high in the air proudly over the gold place podium.

Go USA!