The Olympic games have always been a grand spectacle to watch. The best of the best in the world compete in various sports in hopes of receiving a gold medal as a trophy to bring back to their country.

The games can also be very inspirational because you are watching the product of hours, months, and years go into the effort of the athletes making them push themselves to their maximum effort. Take the time to watch some of the games (though try to limit the time you spend in front of the tv to less than two hours). Hopefully, you will be inspired to take up one of the sports that you see.

The various olympic sports are: Archery, Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Boxing, Canoe, Cycling, Diving, Equestrian, Fencing, Football (Soccer), Gymnastics, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Modern Pentathlon, Rowing, Sailing, Shooting, Softball, Swimming, Synchronized Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Track and Field, Triathlon, Volleyball (Beach and Indoor), Water Polo, Weightlifting, and Wresting.

Another interesting fact, is that there are two Youth Advisory Board Members who have goals to one day be in the olympics. Isabella Acosta Barna is already nationally ranked in epee fencing and has the goal to be on the US olympic fencing team in the future. There is also Justin Deparis who is determined to be on the US Olympic Team for gymnastics. If you also have similar dreams, go for it.

The sports that I like to play to get active are water polo and swimming. I have been a member of my school’s varsity water polo and swim team from freshman year. What I like the most about sports is that feeling of being happy and relaxed right after a hard practice or a game.  You just can’t get the same feeling from watching television or playing video games.

Getting active is very important. If you don’t want to start off with a sport that is very hard like running or soccer, there are other alternatives. Walking is an easy way to get active along with yoga. Pick someting and try to commit to spending at least an hour 3-5 times a week being active.