3 Ways to Be A Master Spectator of the 2016 Olympic Games

by Katherine Willis

08 June 2016, 09:00am

By Katie Willis, SwimmingWorld College Intern

The Olympics is a phenomenal global event that only comes around every four years. It brings together athletes of various backgrounds and a population of immense talent for a one-of-a-kind elite competition. This upcoming Olympics is likely to be quite memorable, as the most decorated Olympian of all-time, Michael Phelps, faces his last challenge.

Photo Courtesy: Sue Borst

And although we eagerly await the results of Olympic trials, there is still hopeful expectations for relatively newer and younger faces like Missy Franklin, Katie Ledecky, Caeleb Dressel, Simone Manuel, Reece Whitley, and more.

Whether or not this your first or your fifth Olympic experience, there are many ways to ensure that Rio 2016 is worthwhile.

1. Know the schedule!

As we all know it’s rare to find swimming broadcast on TV, thus it would be a shame to miss out on an event of this scale. The swimming portion of the Olympics will span from August 6 to August 13.

2. Know Your Athletes!

Photo Courtesy: Gian Mattia Dalberto/Lapresse

It’s always a good idea to know the competitors. Acknowledging that this is a global competition means that there will be athletes coming from every corner of the earth. Study their backgrounds and learn their stories and paths to success. Putting some menial research into the degrees of talent competing will surely make race time more interesting.

3. Find Ways To Be An Active Watcher!

Photo Courtesy: Annie Grevers

And while just watching can, in its own way be enjoyable, being a more active viewer can prove to be more enthralling. Call together your relatives or any interested friends and throw an Olympic-sized party! Challenge your friends and family to some Olympic competition.

For example: Make an Olympic bracket

Mimic the bracket type system of NCAA basketball to bet on countries or even specific athletes. Face off with friends and family and see which one of you comes out on top! Making friendly bets such as this will give you specific people to root for and make every race more engaging.

But all in all just enjoy it as it is. The Olympics is extravagantly carried out. It gives us an exhilarating motivation just by watching. We watch and we see those athletes, we hear their incredible stories, and we begin to see them as people we aspire to be.

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