Rio Olympics

Sunday was the closing ceremonies of the 2016 Rio Olympics games. While there was significant controversy leading up to the games, it is fair to say that the games brought some very memorable moments to the Olympics and the United States.

During the 16 days of competition, over 11,000 athletes from 207 Olympics committees competed in 42 different sporting disciplines with 306 medal groups up for grabs. This year was the first time athletes from the South Sudan, Kosovo as well as a Refugee team competed. The United States had 554 athletes representing our country. Of the 554 athletes, 292 or 53% were women, the most of any delegation. The women of the United States captured 27 of the 42 gold medals and 61 of the 121 total medals for the United States.

We were able to witness some remarkable performances by athletes.

Simone Biles - US Gymnast was the first person ever to capture 4 gold medals in the sport. She took gold as part of the US gymnastic team as well as individual gold medals in the overall competition, the floor exercise, and the vault. In addition she received a bronze medal for her beam performance.

Michael Phelps - Wrapping up his career as perhaps the greatest
Olympic swimmer ever. Phelps captured 5 gold medals and one silver. This brings his total to 23 gold and 28 total medals. This is the most of any athlete ever. The next closest is at 18 medals.

Kristin Armstrong - Kristin Armstrong took her third gold medal in the women's individual time trials. She captured her gold medal in Rio the day before her birthday. She received a cake from the Today show the morning after her victory. Not to mention, she is a Boise native.

Abbey D'Agostino and Nikki Hamblin - You may not know their names, but you may no their actions. D'Agostino (US) and Hamblin (New Zealand) were running in the women's 5000m race when they tripped over another runner. After returning to her feet, D'Agostino find Hamblin, helps her to her feet, and encourages her to finish the race. D'Agostino was injured in the fall, but with the encouragement of Hamblin, finished the race. The moment captured to true spirit of the Olympics and the spirit of competition. Even though they were out of the competition, they were both awarded the Pierre de Coubertin Medal, which has only been awarded 17 times in the history of the Olympics, for demonstrating the true spirit of the Olympics.

These are only a few moments of greatness. I could have easily referenced a number of others including Katie Ledecky, Usain Bolt, Brazil's men's soccer team and countless others. The Olympics can bring out the best in all of us.

Did you watch the Olympics? Why or why not? What was your favorite moment? This year they added rugby sevens and golf to the games. What sports would you like to see added for the 2020 Tokyo Games?