I was a competitive swimmer and cyclist growing up. I was even captain of my High School swim team. I have also been doing triathlons since then. (Unfortunately I have to sit out of a tri this weekend due to an injury) So every 4 years I am glued to the TV to watch the cycling, swimming (and diving, I dove too), and track and field events. And of course whatever women was in my life (from moms, to wifes to girlfriends) at the time made me watch the gymnastics.

Tonight (2:30 EDT) in Athens is the match up of the entire Olympics. Ian Thorpe (21) of Australia and Michael Phelps (19) of Baltimore, MD. These two kids can swim. They have lots of world records and 2004 Olympic medals already. (They are trying to catch Mark Spitz from 1972 with 7 gold’s, highly unlikely-nobody can catch mark).

What I am sad to think of is that each of these kids will go home with several medals (they each have a gold already I think) and if they “only” get 4 or 5 medals people in the media, etc, will say it is a disappointment. Screw them and their internet “what have you done for me lately” reality TV-obsessed, recall vote culture.

Tune in tonight (8pm EDT tape delay in the US) and watch some great competition!