Olympic games come to a close

I hope a lot of you watched the Winter Olympic Games. Germany was the big winner with the US in second. As much as I would have liked to see the US come out on top it is nice to see someone else do well so that it isn't like the Olympics are so the US can show how superior we are to the rest of the world. It gives us something to aspire to. Congratulations to all the athletes.

What was different this time for me is that as I was watching the closing ceremonies it struck me just how huge the Olympic Games are. I'm in my early 40's so I have seen a few come and go but as a kid it just seemed to be a bunch of sports. As a young adult I didn't bother to watch but as an adult I watched the games with a bit of interest.

As the closing cermonies took place and were aired last night I watched the arial views of the entire city as the fireworks went off. Shasha Cohen spoke to a journalist and she was overwhelmed at the spectacle. What an extraodinary job Italy did on the games and NBC of presenting them.

What I finally "got" is that this is really the world stopping to a degree and competing in these games. That global aspect never really sunk in until this year and the popularity of Next Level TV. All the places and people I have run across from all over the globe - it is staggering.

Imagine, you are a young teenager who competes at your favorite sport. You do well and make it to some competitions that last one weekend and you eventually you make it to the Olympic games.

Think of the magnatitude - the whole world is watching you and an entire city is dedicated to you for 2 weeks. There is of course training and meetings but think of all the rest. The parties and media coverage and all the fun they must have. I hope that someone there told them all to slow down for a minute to take it all in.