We’re a long way from the days of Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt breaking record after record. The Tokyo Olympic games didn’t have the same magic in 2020, as they were run under the blanket of COVID-19. This year, however, feels different.
I’ve never felt the need to gamble on the Olympic games. It means so much to so many people around the world, and national pride was always reason enough to keep me watching. Who wants to bet against their country in the Olympics? Who wants to bet on the same team over and over? It doesn’t seem worth it.
I may have been inclined to wager on the 2020 Games, but four years later, the 2024 Paris Games feel pure again.
The United States sent some fantastic athletes across the pond: Katie Ledecky, Simone Biles, Sha’Carri Richardson, Noah Lyles etc. There have also been some fantastic moments this year: the battles between Ledecky and Australian Ariarne Titmus in the pool, Julien Alfred taking home St. Lucia’s first two medals, chaos on the final lap of the men’s 3000m steeplechase. I, and many people across the globe, have been watching intently during work and enjoying the pure athleticism for the love of the game, not because we have money on it.
Now, that being said, it’s time for the U.S. to use these last few days to pull ahead of China in gold medals. We have not dominated track and swimming like we should. At the time this is being written, a masked Noah Lyles is giving an interview after taking home bronze in his best event. The women’s water polo team just blew a 4 point lead in the semifinals and lost in a shootout.
There have been quite a few choke jobs from the U.S. in these Olympics, including Femke Bol stealing the mixed 4x400m and Sha’Carri Richardson taking silver in the 100m.
However, I’m confident the track relays and basketball will ultimately put the United States on top, right where we belong.
Tough Money Sports 