Our family jumped right into the 2024 Summer Olympics this past weekend. In fact, we watched so much of the opening weekend from Paris that I already have 10 observations/thoughts to convey. Let the games…I mean “thoughts”…begin!

Sloan has turned into quite the fan of Team USA and the Olympics in general.

– First thing’s first: our daughter can’t get enough of the Olympics. She is all-in and has turned into a USA super fan. Will she keep up the intensity throughout the whole 16 days? I will report back once the flame is extinguished.

– I watched the entire four-hour opening ceremony package offered by NBC. There were things that I liked and things that I didn’t like. However, I can separate a production delivered by the host city from the Games themselves. The TV will continue to remain on Peacock in our house.

– Speaking of Peacock, I really enjoy Mike Tirico. He brings the same reverence to the Games that Bob Costas did (read my ode to him here) and I loved the tour he gave us of the studio last night.

– So far, I have not jumped on the Snoop Dogg bandwagon. It seems like his presence is a little overbearing. Take for example the women’s gymnastics qualifying round last night. I am interested in the reactions of the gymnasts’ parents after their daughters complete a routine but not those of Snoop. Placing him right by the families of Suni Lee and Simone Biles takes away the focus on mom/dad and shifts it on him.

– Sticking with gymnastics, it is the Olympic sport most loved by Sidney and Sloan. Yesterday afternoon we watched the entire rotation of the Brazilian women’s team in the qualifying round and then returned to the couch later in the evening for the primetime coverage of the American team’s rotation. Sloan is a huge Simone Biles fan and wants to be placed in gymnastics classes.

– A sport that doesn’t quite capture our enthusiasm the same way that gymnastics does is cycling. Sidney and I tried watching it on Saturday afternoon only to wake up from unplanned naps about 90 minutes later (we were at my parents’ house so the kids were taken care of).

– A sport that doesn’t put me to sleep even when it is past midnight is handball. It reminds me of a soccer + basketball + arena football hybrid. I stayed up late on Friday and Saturday watching both men’s and women’s action.

– It took the Olympics for me to actually watch a rugby game. I tuned in for the France vs. Fiji gold medal match and was impressed by the atmosphere in the stadium and all that the athletes do without any type of protective equipment.

– I have watched probably every 2024 Summer Olympics Peacock commercial about 20 times. As of right now, the Nike “Winning Isn’t For Everyone” spot is my favorite.

– Finally some decent weather for these Games! Watching the rain-soaked opening ceremony and the Saturday washout was a little depressing. Beach volleyball just isn’t meant to be played when the game officials are wearing windbreakers. Oh well, today is supposed to be sunny and warm!

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Dang, all those thoughts after just a couple days; can you imagine how many I will have in two more weeks? Hope everyone is enjoying the action from Paris. Don’t Blink.