With the Olympics coming to a close, I thought I’d countdown my top 5 moments from the games. It’s been a truly great (and at times weird) event and one filled with many amazing times so narrowing it down has been tough… but here we go!
NUMBER FIVE
David Katoatau, a weightlifter from the small country of Kiribati, did a funky dance as he competed.
But there was more to the dance. It raised his profile and hit the news.David has used this attention for more important matters,”Most people don’t know where Kiribati is. I want people to know more about us so I use weightlifting, and my dancing, to show the world. I wrote an open letter to the world last year to tell people about all the homes lost to rising sea levels. I don’t know how many years it will be before it sinks.” Kiribati lies only 6ft above sea level – by the 2048 its citizens may need to evacuate due to climate change and rising sea levels.
NUMBER FOUR
Simone Manuel. She became the first black woman to win an individual swimming medal when she tied with Penny Oleksiak in the 100m freestyle. This was huge! Two young women winning the gold was great enough, but for Simone it holds even more significance.
Black people were prohibited from swimming in whites only pools in the US in the fifties. Dorothy Dandridge dipped her toe in a swimming pool to protest the segregation and the hotel drained the entire pool. This is why Simone’s win was so important.
NUMBER THREE
During the 5000m race, Abbey D’Agostino fell in agony and fellow runner/competitor Nikki Hamblin stopped to assist her – sacrificing her chances of a medal in favor of helping a competitor. D’Agostino encouraged Hamblin to continue running, but until a wheelchair could take her away, Hamblin refused to leave.
Their sportsmanship received international attention and both women were awarded the Pierre de Coubertin medal which has only been awarded 17 times in Olympic history. Sportsmanship > success.
NUMBER TWO
Usain Bolt and Andre De Grasse. Just two bros tearing up the track. Get you a man who looks at you like Usain looks at Andre.
NUMBER ONE
Ashton Eaton, two time Olympic decathlon CHAMPION. Truly incredible. He is also American. He is also married to Brianne Theisen-Eaton, bronze medal winner in this summer’s heptathlon, and a proud Canadian. However, when Ashton was spotted in a Canada hat, people complained…
The married pair shut down the haters and rightly so. They give their all for their respective countries whilst loving and supporting the other.
Now that’s love!
Okay… I lied. The greatest moment of all, was all the times team GB smashed it! I’m so proud of my country and the athletes that have represented our nation. Finishing 2nd in the medal table and improving on London 2012 is such a fantastic achievement! I’m a proud mama!
With a gold medal for the women’s hockey, team GB won gold in 14 different sports… no other country managed 10!
