“Yes! Yes! Yes!”
“Go! Go! Go!”
“Noooooooooo!”
These are the sounds I wake up to early Sunday morning. Thinking that something had gone horribly wrong, I jump out of bed, rush downstairs almost trip over the dog as I rush to rescue whichever child has just been horribly injured. I turn the corner into the living room and the entire family, including the baby, is sitting on the coach with their eyes glued on the TV.
I demand to know why I have been so rudely awakened especially since their is no blood or bruising clearly visible on any one.
Maddy, my tween, answers,”Shhhhhh, Mami, we’re trying to watch the Olympics!”
Since I got “shushed”, I decided I was going to turn this new found obsession into learning moments! I have spent hours pouring over online information to give them insights on what they are seeing, creating interesting conversations, and focusing on learning about other cultures. Here are just a few facts I have uncovered as well as athletes to watch that you can share with your familia as well!
Facts on 2012 Olympics:
- For the first time, women on the U.S. Olympic team outnumber the men. There are 269 woman competing and 261 men. (Girl power!)
- More than half of the U.S. Olympic team will be competing in the Olympics for the first time. How nervous would you be?
- 7 members of the U.S. team will be competing in their fifth Olympic games.
- There are 204 countries competing in the Olympic games.
Facts about teens participating in the Olympics:
- Breaking from tradition, the 2012 Olympic torch was lit by seven teenage athletes instead of the previous “athletic celebrity”.
- There are a number of teenage Olympic phonemes competing! They are great inspiration for the tweens.
- Teens to watch for on the U.S. Olympic team:
- Tom Daley, 18 (Diving)
- Lily Zhang and Ariel Hsing, both 16 (Table Tennis)
- Gabby Douglas, 16 (Gymnastics)
- Alejandra Valencia, 17 (Archery) AND Mexico native!!!
- MIssy Franklin, 17 (Swimming
Latino U.S. Olympians to Watch:
- John Orozco, Puerto Rico (Gymnastics)
- Sarah Robles, Mexican American (Weightlifting)
- Leonel “Leo” Manzano, Mexican American (Running)
- Joseph Diaz Jr., Mexican American (Boxing)
- Danell Lyva, Cuban American (Gymnastics)
- Steven Lopez, Nicaraguan American (Tae Kwon Do)
- Brenda Villa, Mexican American (Water Polo)
- Marlen Esparza, Mexican American (Boxing)
- Manuel Huerta, Cuban American (Triatholon)
- Giuseppe Lanzone, Peruvian American (Rowing)
- Ryan Lochte, Cuban American (Swimming)
My favorite Olympics related question that we have discussed: “What Olympic sport would you have liked to or would like to play?”. My tween daughter wants to be a basketball player. My five year old wants to be a swimmer – he has a lot of work to do since he currently swims with one arm because the other one is holding his nose. And, most shocking of all, my husband wanted to be a long jumper! I never knew!
Saludos,
Katherine