These Olympics are so good, my butt's asleep.

It's rare something lives up to runaway hype, but so far, these Olympics have delivered. It's not going unnoticed. NBC says these Olympics are on pace to be the most watched ever. I'm sure it helps that they're on more than Seinfeld reruns.
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The opening ceremonies were, hands down, the best ever. I can't imagine the amount of practice, money, and imagination it took to pull that off. That drumming thing blew my mind. I'm also glad HD was invented prior to 08-08-08. Phenomenal.
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Our entire family was standing up, screaming at the television during Sunday night's 4 X 100 men's swimming relay. That was the greatest finish I've ever seen in any race. The French talked smack, and the Americans made them eat it. Michael Phelps stays on track for 8 gold medals.
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Phelps is a fish. The guy defies belief. I also love the way he immediately looks for his mother after winning. When you've had a good one, you never outgrow that feeling.
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Iowa State professor Rick Sharp helped designed the Speedo swimsuit that keeps slicing through the water in world record time. He should design some football uniforms for I-State. Maybe basketball too. Can't hurt.
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President Bush has the lowest approval rating of any President in decades, perhaps deserved, but I predict he gets a positive bump after the Games. He's at his best in weeks like these, and I agree with his decision to not boycott the Olympics. Boycotting is not the way to human rights progress in China, and it would mostly hurt the athletes (talk to an Olympian from 1980). The interview between President Bush and Bob Costas was interesting. Costas is the consummate pro on nearly any subject.
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Props to NBC for so much live coverage. It was nice to watch the USA vs. China basketball game live Sunday instead of waiting for prime time. If the Redeem Team doesn't win gold, I'll watch a WNBA game from start to finish by the end of the month.
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As Chris Hassel said Sunday night, "Shawn Johnson sizzles, Team USA fizzles". Shawn was as good as advertised, showing she's the one to beat in Beijing. Her older, more experienced teammates looked nervous and rattled, but Shawn, as ever, showed poise and delivered. Her coach, Liang Chow, told the Register's Nancy Stockdale that Shawn held back too. She'll up her game when she needs to.
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If you get popular enough, you'll attract haters. It's true of anyone, even the innocent. Believe it or not, 6% of the people voting at whotv.com say Shawn Johnson won't win a medal in the all-around. For that to happen, she'll have to fall down twice or pull out with an injury. There's definitely some jealousy out there, just talk to someone who goes to Valley. Most of the students are proud and supportive, but a few dislike Shawn's fame (and fast-growing fortune). She handles it all so well. Can't be easy. I know I was a self-centered knucklehead at 16. And 26.
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Gymnastics needs to bring back the "10". It made scoring much more exciting and understandable.
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Biggest upset in sports viewing history: Shawn Terrell now watching women's gymnastics with the same passion he brings to the Bears and Cubs.
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Just got a letter from Lolo's agent, and fellow Roosevelt legend, Kim Carson. Kim says Lolo is having a blast in China and ready to bring home the gold.
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An athlete gets kicked out of the Olympics, and of course it's a cyclist. Can this sport clean itself up enough to make people believe again?
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I spent 10 hours at the Iowa State Fair this weekend and really enjoyed it. First at the Olympic Pavilion, where people can watch the Olympics on our big screen, and later at the "Cast Your Kernel" site where folks 18 and over vote for President. Both places were packed and Andy and I met a lot of nice people. Andy is a star. Even people who give him a hard time want an autograph or a picture. He stayed busy signing and posing most of the time. His picture cards look like they were taken during his first day on the job at channel 13 back in 2000. I'm not even sure it's him. That's one way to stay young.

Andy and I will also be doing some Olympic Sound-Offs this week at http://www.whotv.com/ and http://www.dmregister.com/

Thanks for stopping by. I've got to get back to the Olympics. Women's volleyball is on. I can't believe I'm watching either, but it's the United States, I'm hooked, and it's in HD.

Let others know what you love, or don't like, about the Olympics so far.

Keith