Who's Playing at the Beijing Olympics?

My fondest memory of the Summer Olympic games was watching it on TV with my father. We bonded while watching it together and talking about the games. It had been his dream to watch it live in person. He could've gone to the Seoul Olympics in 1988 as that was the closest one to the Philippines. But that dream did not happen. Although, I think, with where he is now, he could go to any place he wants to be. I know my brother wants to watch one Olympic game live. I have this very good feeling he will fulfill our father's dream.

Watching the Olympics became a habit for me, and I had been an avid fan since the Seoul games. I remembered waking up at an ungodly hour to watch the opening ceremonies of the Barcelona Olympics. I get this thrill from watching the best athletes compete and break world records in every possible sport -- swimming, diving, gymnastics, etc. During my teenybopper years, I'd be spotting for the most handsome player/athlete. Later on, I'd be taking down names of athletes which sounded distinct to me thinking I could name my future kids after them.

Last Sunday, the Pastor's sermon talked about the Olympics and he shared that Time magazine came out with an issue about this Olympic's 100 Olympic Athetes to Watch. Then I realized that the Beijing Olympics will begin this Friday, and I had no idea who the players are. And so my research began.

Let me share Time's top 10 who made it to the 100 Olympic Athletes to Watch list.

1. Le Bron James

Basketball

United States

Age: 23

2. Dara Torres

Swimming

United States

Age: 41

3. Michael Phelps

Swimming

United States

Age: 23

4. Liu Xiang

Hurdles

China

Age: 25

5. Yao Ming

Basketball

China

Age: 27

6. Allyson Felix

Sprints

United States

Age: 22

7. Shawn Johnson

Gymnastics

United States

Age: 16

8. Roman Sebrle

Decathlon

Czech Republic

Age: 33

9. Guo Jingjing

Diving

China

Age: 26

10. Tyson Gay

Sprints

United States

Age: 25




I know a bit of who will compete. The next two weeks will be busy watching the games. Our TV at home will be tuned in to whichever channel is covering the Olympics live. Will the Philippines bag its first-ever gold medal? Let's keep praying fellow Filipinos!