Ham on Wry: This year’s thrilling Olympics will be hard to beat (original) (raw)

Hats off to France for pulling off such an amazing international spectacle.

It all started with the parade of nations with the Olympic athletes floating down the Seine, Celine Dion’s scintillating resurgence on the Eiffel Tower, and finally ending with the remarkable “Golden Voyager,” plus an army of dancers transforming huge steel spheres into the Olympic rings.

Celine Dion performs on the Eiffel Tower during the opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris on July 26. (Olympic Broadcasting Services via AP)

Add Tom Cruise jumping from the roof of the Stade de France, taking the Olympic flag from Simone Biles, then hopping on a motorcycle and riding out of the stadium and onto a plane headed for Los Angles, the site of the next Olympics.

Tom Cruise repels from the roof during closing ceremonies Aug. 11. (Keith Birmingham / Orange County Register)

But before that fabulous finale, we were presented with the most extraordinary athletes, as the U.S. led with a total of 126 medals.

We saw an incredible variety of events and participants ranging from an 11-year-old skateboarder from China to a 65-year-old equestrian from Spain.

Noah Lyles wins the men’s 100-meter dash and the gold medal Aug. 4. (Keith Birmingham / Orange County Register)

We watched Noah Lyles, the fastest man in the world, take gold in the 100-meter race and Katie Ledecky win her historic ninth gold medal, while Mallory Swanson scored the sole goal for the U.S. to win the gold in soccer.

Then there was the remarkable Biles who won four medals, including three gold and one silver in gymnastics.

Simone Biles performs on the balance beam during the women’s artistic gymnastics all-around finals Aug. 1. (Francisco Seco / Associated Press)

We saw the U.S. overcome a tough French team to win gold in basketball as Steph Curry knocked down eight 3-pointers as the team won 98-87, while the women had equal success defeating France in a close contest to win gold in their basketball final.

By the time it all came ended, the U.S. won the medal count with 40 gold, 42 silver and 44 bronze.

Gold medalist Keegan Palmer, center, with silver medalist Tom Schaar, left, and bronze medalist Augusto Akio after the skateboarding park competition. Palmer and Schaar live in San Diego County. (Abbie Parr / Associated Press)

We happily got to see San Diego athletes win a total of 27 medals in 12 events.

United States’ Kelsey Plum celebrates after a women’s gold medal basketball game Aug. 11 in Paris. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

I’m reminded of the time I got to meet a local Olympic champion years back when I decided to take racquetball lessons.

My instructor was a young resident from Valley Center by the name of Bernie Wrightson. Through weeks of lessons, he never mentioned anything about his past triumph.

One day, however, as I was complimenting him on his athleticism, I asked him if he had any interest in other sports.

“I like diving,” he replied.

“Seeing how well you play racquetball,” I said, “I’d bet you’re pretty good at it.”

“I guess so,” he meekly replied.

So I asked him if he ever considered competing.

That’s when he admitted that he was a contestant in springboard diving.

“Where?” I questioned.

“Mexico City,” he replied.

“Isn’t that where the Olympics were held?” I asked.

“Yes,” he replied.

“Are you saying you actually competed in the Olympics?” I questioned.

“Yes,” he conceded.

“How did you do?” I asked.

“I won,” he replied.

I couldn’t believe he was so humble about such an extraordinary achievement.

He didn’t even mention the word “gold.” He simply said “I won.”

If it were me, not only would I have broadcast my triumph to everyone, I’d be wearing that honor everywhere I went.

If they awarded medals in humility, Bernie would be swamped in added gold.

I’m eagerly looking forward to 2028 when Los Angeles is the host. They’ll have a huge challenge attempting to equal or surpass Paris’ spectacular miracle called the 2024 Olympics.

Erdos is a freelance humor columnist. Contact him at irverdos@aol.com.

Originally Published: August 16, 2024 at 1:05 PM PST