Last night, I waited patiently for NBC to get around to showing the Michael Phelps - Ryan Lochte showdown in the 400 IM. I wanted to watch the race without knowing the outcome. That meant I had to avoid the internet all afternoon.
Staying offline for 5 straight hours took quite a lot out of me. However, it was nothing compared to the sacrifice of Louis Smith, a member of the men's gymnastics team from Great Britain. You see, while I was waiting for NBC to show the 400 IM, I had to sit through women's beach volleyball and a rotation of the opening night of men's gymnastics. That's how I got to meet Louis Smith.
As Mr. Smith approached one of the evening's apparatus, NBC's excitable gymnastics analyst Elfi Schlegel breathlessly talked about the extreme level of preparation that Louis Smith put himself through as he readied himself for last night's competition. According to Elfi, Louis had made the ultimate sacrifice. But, what was it?
Had he worked three jobs for the past four years to pay for his training? No. Had he left home at the age of 6 to attend a gymnastics academy? No. Had he broken off a long-term engagement so that he could devote his full attention to competing? No, again.
OK, if he hadn't done any of these things, what had Louis Smith done? Well, according to Elfi, he had given up both Twitter and Facebook for 4 whole days leading up to last night!
Just thinking about this sacrifice, tears came to my eyes. What a commitment poor Louis had made. And, not just Louis, but his Twitter followers and Facebook friends, too.
Thank you, Louis, for reminding me what the Olympics are all about.
This is where the magic happens.
