Compelling London 2012

I've been trying to catch as much of the Olympics action as I can. Was happy to see Ryan Lochte victorious in the 400m Individual Medley, the first London 2012 race I watched. There are so many stories to witness - success after much hard work, failure despite being tagged as favourite, hiccups that cost a podium finish, sheer determination just to complete a race, how the home crowd supports their countrymen and women. That's what makes the Olympics so compelling. If only the time difference wasn't that vast, it would be much easier to catch all the action.

I was watching the Men's Synchronised 10m Platform Diving last night and was looking forward  to see Tom Daley and Peter Waterfield of the Great Britain team medal. Sadly, a disappointing fourth dive wrecked their chances of getting onto the podium. Still they recovered with two good final dives to finish fourth, just a few points shy of a bronze. Which brings me to my point. Sometimes we make a bad mistake in life and take a tumble. Yes, we can wallow in self pity, but only for awhile. Then it's time to get up and move one. Little steps lead to bigger strides and before you know it, we're back on track.

Fortune favours the brave.

Peter Waterfield and Tom Daley.

London 2012

The London Olympics are here. With the time difference, I am antici-pating some crazy sleep patterns in the next few weeks. I typically only follow a few sports during the Olympics - swimming, diving, gymnastics, track and field.

Swimming of course is the sport I am best at, so naturally I am an avid fan. I hope Ryan Lochte (USA) will win at least either the 200m or 400m individual medley and enroute to the gold beat Michael Phelps (USA). I wish Leisel Jones (AUS) well and hope that she proves her critics wrong when she races in the 100m breastroke. I look forward to seeing James Magnussen (AUS) smash the 100m freestyle world record. Kosuke Kitajima (JPN) will perhaps create history by taking the 100m and 200m breastroke double for the third Olympics in a row. I'd also like to see the English swimmers do well in their home Olympics. As for diving, I hope the Malaysian divers will at least make the finals of their events. Who knows, they may spring a surprise or two. It would be great if divers representing different countries can prevent a Chinese clean sweep. Matthew Mitcham (AUS) defending his 10m platform title would be awesome or perhaps Tom Daley may win the event for the home team.

So much to follow, so little time to do so. I ought to come up with a game plan on how to catch as much of the sporting action as I can. Each Olympic Games has its own inspiring stories to tell. Here's to a great London Games.

Ryan Lochte in the pool.