Olympic Parents

Missy Franklin won her first Olympic gold medal last night in the women's 100 backstroke.  Immediately after winning, the NBC cameras went to Missy's parents who were in an emotional state somewhere between crying, cheering, smiling and probably "How the (bleep) did we get here?"  At her poolside post-race interview, Missy was a little weepy, saying it was because she just saw her parents.

During the girl's (sorry, but these aren't women) gymnastics qualifying, in the uneven bars, after one of the US girl's routine, NBC showed her parent's reactions during the whole routine.  They were leaning left and right, backwards and forwards, almost getting up, and falling back down.  In unison with each other.  It was the funniest thing I had seen at this year's Olympics until yesterday afternoon (see below).  They looked like a weekend hacker golfer trying to move the ball by leaning.  Only they were going in at least 5 different directions.  The golfers always leans in one direction.  At least until the next shot.

Michael Phelps swam the 200 butterfly semifinal last night.  After his swim, the cameras went right to Mama Phelps and the sisters, who looked relieved that Phelps looked more like the 23 year old who won eight gold medals in Beijing than the 15 year old who finished fifth in the 200 fly in Sydney.  Mama Phelps has been on TV more than anyone other than Michael himself over the last two Olympics.

Parents are everywhere.

I have already written about my angst as a parent.  How hard do you push your kids in sports and when do you start pushing?  Or do you push?  This is a whole new level.  Missy Franklin is 17 years old and has a chance to win seven medals in this Olympics.  Ruta Meilutyte of Lithuania won the women's 100 breastroke.  She's 15.  Shiwen Ye of China won the women's 400 IM.  She's 16.  Phelps made his first Olympics as a 15 year old.  (If you haven't seen the clips of him in 2000 in Sydney, you need to.  I am sure they will show them tonight for the final of the 200 fly.)  15 is 7 years older than my oldest child.  How do you know your child is good enough to even think of the Olympics?  And when?

My dream as a child was to win an Olympic gold medal.  Actually, that's still my dream, but I don't think I am going to be able to pull off an Olympic debut at the age of 44.  My dream as a parent is to watch my kids win an Olympic gold medal.  Or the Tour de France.  Or the Ironman World Championships.  Or the Masters.  I recently heard a coach say that one of the keys in sports is to set goals.  Goals are realistic benchmarks for where you want to be at a particular time.  If I start swimming races again, one of my first goals will be to break a minute in a 100 yard freestyle.  That is realistic.  The coach said that "I want to swim in the Olympics" is not a goal, it's a dream.  However, for Missy Franklin, some time in the last four years, "I want to swim in the Olympics" became a goal.  Michael Phelps reached that point some time around age 13.  How do you know that being one of the best in the world is a goal, and not a dream?

When I was a child I saw John Naber speak.  John Naber won four gold medals and one silver at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal.  Naber said that he was so bad in high school, he won the most improved swimmer award all four years.  I have no idea if this is true, but can someone today be a mediocre high school swimmer at age 15 and an Olympic contender, much less Olympic champion, by 22?  Can you do this in any sport?  Or do you have to start at age 4 and specialize by age 7?  I know this is a little extreme, but my oldest son is 8, and sometimes I wonder if he is running out of time.

Then there is the sacrifice question.  Even if your child has the talent to make the Olympics, or be a professional in a particular sport, do you really want to sacrifice their childhood?  After winning seven medals in Athens, Micheal Phelps came home, bought a Lincoln Navigator and got arrested for drunk driving.  When he was 19 years old.  After winning eight golds in Beijing, Phelps was photographed with a bong at a college party somewhere in North Carolina.  Neither one of these is very good, but they are things some kids do.  Phelps lost part of his childhood to 3 hour practices in the pool.  He probably went a little crazy during the post Olympics downtime.  We see this more with stars in TV and movies than athletes, but there is a risk to the development of a person if they are forced-or choose-to do adult things too fast.  No matter what that adult thing may be.

I saw a Beverly Hills 90210 episode once where Brandon got involved with a figure skater.  He was impressed with her dedication and work ethic, and questioned his father why he didn't start such dedication as a boy in speed skating.  (Back story was he was a very good youth speed skater when they lived in Minnesota.)  His father told him that he had spoken to a top coach and the coach asked him if he wanted to raise a son or a champion.  And he chose a son.  But are they mutually exclusive?

We all have proud moments as a parent.  Many are as simple as watching our child walk into school without crying for the first time.  There is the first step, first soccer game, first time swimming across the pool without stopping, first win, etc., etc., etc.  I am sure watching my child win an Olympic medal would be unbelievable.  But that coach is right.  It's a dream.  It's a dream until one of them shows the ability to make it a goal.  And that will likely not happen.  That is probably a good thing.  We can always watch others live their dreams.

Today's Olympic Story Line - Missy Franklin.  Missy is a 17 year old star in swimming.  She will be the darling of the 2012 Olympics, even more so than the Fab Five Gymnasts.  She already has two medals, including individual gold in the 100 backstroke.  She is swimming the 200 freestyle tonight and still has two relays, the 200 backstroke and the 100 freestyle.  She will finish this Olympics with at least five medals and has a chance at seven.  I am predicting four golds a silver and a bronze.  If she sticks with swimming for eight more years, she will become the most decorated US female Olympian and will be a household name just below Phelps and Spitz.  And she is fun.  She is a normal teenager who happens to have extraordinary ability.  If you are looking for a superstar athlete for your child to admire and emulate, I would recommend Missy.  You never know what will come in the future (see Phelps and the DUI and bong), but I have faith in Missy.  She is rapidly becoming my favorite swimmer.

Reflections on What Has Happened (Focus for this will be on US sports and medals, but we will touch on other stuff as time permits) -

1.  I love women's volleyball.  All women's volleyball.  Indoor team beat Brazil.  My volleyball insider told me that in US volleyball, they say "It's OK to lose.  Just don't lose to Brazil."  They followed that one well.  The women have looked very good so far.  As have the beach players.  Misty and Kerri almost lost their first set last night, but managed to turn a 19-19 second set into a 21-19 win in about 32 seconds.  Seriously, I don't know what happened.  It was tied.  Then it was over.

2.  Water polo is incomprehensible, but brutal.  Women won yesterday v. Hungary.  Apparently in their last 15 games against Hungary, the US women were 7-7-1.  Nice win.

3.  Lochte finishes fourth in the 200 free.  Not sure what to make of this.  He said he just didn't go that fast.  After getting passed in the final leg of the 400 free relay, then finishing fourth in the 200, I am a little worried about his confidence.  Tonight's relay (see below) should help with that.

4.  MATT GREVERS - NICK THOMAN.  1-2 in the 100 backstroke.  I was a backstroker, so our continued dominance in this event is like crack to me.  I need it and I need more of it.  Way to go boys!!  Five straight gold medals in the men's 100 backstroke  (1996 - Jeff Rouse; 2000 - Lenny Krayzelburg; 2004 - Aaron Piersol;  2008 - Piersol with Grevers getting silver).

5.  Saw some equestrian yesterday.  I can't get into equestrian.  When it first came on, I saw a horse run into some trees and never come back.  The camera stayed on the trees for about 10 seconds, then went to another horse.  I have no idea what happened.  Then the horses apparently ran through a pond.  Still, kind of confused.  Then I saw the funniest thing I have ever seen at the Olympics.  A 57 year old was riding a horse, they made a jump, then the guy started to slide off the horse.  It happened in slow motion.  He seemed to lose his balance a little, then started to slide down the left side of the horse.  He tried to hang on, which just made the whole incident last longer.  Finally, he slid off.  It looked kind of like one of those "I've fallen and I can't get up commercials."  He rolled around for a few seconds before standing up.  Then he started lifting his leg like a cat that stepped in something sticky.  The left knee kept shooting high up as he walked around.  And he had some sort of protective vest that lifted up around his head so he looked like a five year old wearing an adult sized life jacket.  All this time, the horse just ran off.  Everyone was OK, so it was acceptable to laugh.

6.  It's hard not to call the Men's Gymnastics Team chokers.

Predictions Sum Up -

1. Matt Grevers continues US dominance in the 100 back with the gold medal - Correct
2. Lochte continues his individual run, and gets a bit of redemption, with a gold in the 200 free - WRONG
3. US gets 2 medals in women's 100 breast - Wrong - Silver for Rebecca Soni, 6th for Breeja Larson.  My Baltic States Insider was pleased with the Lithuanian victory.
4. Missy Franklin gets her first individual medal, but not gold -WRONG-  She will eventually be the most decorated US woman.  Pending  But we will have to wait 8 years fot that. - Correct
5. US Men do not match the women's silver in synchro diving - Correct - An unexpected bronze for the men.

Corrected Predictions Sum Up -

3. No one cares about Team Handball - WRONG - My Team Handball Insider has objected telling me he cares and was seeking team handball games this past weekend.  According to my Insider, it is a combo of basketball, soccer, and hockey, but their are more injuries.  So, you need to be indecisive and enjoy the pain of others.  Yeah, sounds like my Insider.

Predictions -

1.  Phelps wins 200 fly.  US wins 800 Free Relay.  There will be no better parlay bet in one swimming session than these two races.  Phelps has looked mildly vulnerable, but he will become the first male swimmer to win the same event in three Olympics and break the record for most total medals won in an Olympic career.

2.  There will be more doping rumblings after Shiwen Ye wins the 200 IM.

3.  The US still wins nothing in Badmitton.

4.  Rogers and Dalhausser win in efficient fashion.

5.  Djokovic beats Roddickm in tennis.

6.  Thunderstorms prevent me from swimming tonight.

7.  US Women win Team Gymnastics Gold.  Then Jordyn Weiber has someone take out Gabby Douglas's knee a la Tanya Harding.  (I kid, I kid - but I still would sleep with one eye open if I were Douglas or Raisman)

What to Watch For -

1.  I have selected my obscure summer sport.  Stay tuned.

2.  US men go for relay redemption in the 800 free relay.

3.  Men's volleyball v. Germany.

4.  Men's Water Polo v. Romania

5.  Still lots of sailing.

6.  Men's basketball v. Tunisia.  The point spread is 55.  Take the points.

7.  And everything in the Predictions Section.