8 Reasons Why Olympics Time is The Best Time

I'm having a really, really hard time believing London 2012 was a year and a half ago, but it's true: as of tomorrow, Sochi 2014 is officially upon us! Say it with me: TO-MOR-ROW! And I don't know about you, but I am SO. EXCITED. Shocker, right? Well, if you're less enthused about the Olympics than I am, here are some reasons why that needs to change. Like, ASAP.

+Because you get to watch sports you don't usually get to see. I don't know about you, but there's only so much football I can take. And the Super Bowl is over, folks, and it's on every single year. What's so special about that?! I don't know about you, but I don't see much Nordic combined on TV in non-Olympic years! So go ahead and watch all those random sports you never see, 'cause this is your last chance for four years! Soak in the ski jumping. Soak it in.

+Because you get to expand your worldly knowledge. What does Montenegro's flag look like? Where exactly is Serbia? How on earth does a kid from Africa become a skier? Well, you're gonna find out!

+Because you finally have a reason to wear all the patriotic stuff you have laying around.

(Jeez, do we think I have enough? And this is just the stuff I have with me in Colorado! Though, to be fair, the sweatshirt was a gift, the zip-up next to it was work swag, and the zip-up below it was a prize. Fun fact: that USA Hockey shirt is a boys' youth large. #sorrynotsorry. And don't even ask about the socks, because I have nooooo idea.)

Not pictured: the legit full-size American flag I bought when I was in London during the Olympics. Which brings me to...

+Because you finally have an excuse to be obnoxiously patriotic and proud of your country. When it comes to patriotism at the Olympics, it's go big or go home. I showed up with a tiny little handheld American flag and was utterly ashamed, hence my giant flag purchase. Totally rocked that sucker at the men's triathlon, let me tell you! If you're not screaming your throat raw during the USA vs. Canada gold medal hockey game, you're doing it wrong.

Please note that I did not make this meme. There are others like me out there! ;) [x]

+Because of the stories. At the Olympics, nobody is there for fame and fortune. It's full of people competing for the love of their sport, many doing so despite sub-par funding, zero publicity and all kinds of obstacles. Literally everyone there has an amazing story. Let's not even get started talking about the Paralympics! (And uh, hello, the Jamaican bobsled team is BACK!)

+Because now you can be nocturnal for a reason. "Why am I up so late? Because curling starts at 3 a.m. in this timezone. Duh!"

+Because of all the wonderful commercials that make you cry.

 

+Because, for three weeks, the whole country (and the whole world) is united. And that, my friends, is awesome.


Happy Olympics, everybody!