amazing awaits!

amazing awaits.

Where we least expect it,
or after training for it all our lives.

it awaits in 200 meters,
in a hundreth of a second,
in our courageous first steps,
and with our every last breath.

it awaits on the shoulders of our teammates,
in the footsteps of our heroes,
When we shatter records,
and our spirits prove unbreakable.

amazing awaits
when a small-town playground takes us
to the world's stage,
And when that distance is measured in effort.
When hope makes us hopefuls.
and bravery carriers us on her back.

it awaits when we cross finish lines,
and when the journey has just begun.
when we come from nothing, from nowhere.
over hurdles, over mountains.

amazing awaits in our Olympians.
in all Americans.
in the honor of victory
and the glory of pursuit.

it awaits when we work hard enough,
Want badly enough, and refuse to say we've had enough.

With a nation behind us,
and the world before us,
and within us all...

i first saw this poem three years ago, i love how inspirational and simple it is. i think it illustrates how the games are more important to athletes than we will ever know, yet we can't forget the spectators and our sense of spirit watching them in competition as well.  the winter and summer olympics exemplify a two and a half week span of time where a majority of the world comes to focus on sport, culture, community, and competition at an unprecedented location. to me, the olympics brings excitement and encouragement to athletes and fans of any nation. also, i think it's a time where the world rallies to put aside differences and observe the world's best athlete's who come together to achieve greatness. there's literally nothing that can compare to the olympics...not the superbowl, the stanely cup, and the world series combined even come close. olympians train endlessly to be the BEST and it's during this time that the general public is lucky enough to observe their greatness if we so choose. if i could watch every athlete attain their best score, match, or game, it would be great! i feel such an overwhelming sense of appreciation and joy for them and they don't even know me! it seems silly, i know, but is so incredibly fun, and i am beyond excited to experience such a moment in person this year! 9 days....