Reviewing & Previewing The Summer Olympiad

    

     Alot of memories were made at the XXX Summer Olympiad. As for the United States, many things went right and a few things went wrong out in London.  The Women's Gymnastics team did amazingly well, we won 3 Gold Medals in Tennis, and our Decathletes won Gold and Silver. However, our flag bearer, Mariel Zagunis, failed to medal, Ryan Lochte proved to be a bust as the best swimmer in the world, and neither men's volleyball team was able to earn a medal. Overall, the 2012 Olympics were a success, but the question we are left with now is: Who will be America's #1 Star heading into Rio de Janeiro?

     In this year's olympics, Lochte vs. Phelps was the #1 American storyline, along with the 1992 Dream Team vs. 2012 Olympic Basketball Team debate. By 2016, Phelps will have been retired from swimming, Lochte will be washed up, and the Basketball Team will have a new coach and a host of new players. Advertising and Marketing companies will need to find some new stars to promote the games in Brazil, and America's continued success has provided a number of promising candidates.

     Based on the results of this year's games, there are a few leading options to be future superstars: Missy Franklin, the 17 year old swimmer that ended up with 4 gold medals and 2 world records, Ashton Eaton, the 24 year old decathlete who has claimed the title of "Best Athlete in the World" for the next 4 years, and Alex Morgan, the 23 year old striker for the gold medal-winning US soccer team. Each player has their own advantage: Missy will undoubtedly get the most medals, Morgan will be playing the world's #1 sport, and Ashton Eaton will participate in the most events.

     My best guess is that there will be no clear-cut #1 draw. Either way, Usain Bolt will find a way to steal the show from all of them anyway. The technology of today and tomorrow will allow us to watch each athlete as they compete, especially since Brazil is only one hour ahead of the Eastern Time Zone, compared to being 5 hours ahead in London. I expect nothing but the best from the United States, and if I am lucky I will be blogging from Rio when August 2016 rolls around.