The Summer Olympics are about to begin
When I was 12 years old, back in 1996, I had the great honor of being a part of the Olympic torch bearer relay for the Atlanta games. I have so many wonderful memories from that experience! That was actually the last Olympics in the U.S. In 2024, the next Summer Olympics will be in Los Angeles.
I always watch as much of the Olympics as I possibly can. It's going to be quite different than past Olympics, though, because of the current COVID situation in Japan. I am very curious to see what the opening ceremony will look like with all the restrictions. There are usually a 100,000 people in the same place to celebrate and that will not be happening, for obvious reasons. If Hideki Matsuyama has recovered from his case of COVID, I think he will light the Olympic flame for the games. His win for the Masters golf tournament was the first time ever for a Japanese player to take this title. My curiosity is piqued!
American Collin Morikawa, 24, won the British Open by two shots over fellow American Jordan Spieth. Collin actually reminds me of Jordan because they play similar games and they look like they could be college basketball point guards as well as golfers.
The weather in England, over the White Cliffs of Dover, was fantastic and unusually mild. Because of the weather, the course played more like the PGA Championship than the British Open. It was only windy for the first half of the first round on Thursday. Collin, the champion golfer of the year as they say in the UK, made some history becoming the first golfer ever to win two majors in his first attempts. I am also very happy because with Jordan's second-place finish in the tournament, he will probably make the Ryder Cup team without having to be a captain's selection. He has played quite well this year.
Next year, the 150th British Open will be played at St. Andrew’s in Scotland, the "home of golf" as they say. Morikawa has a chance to be a superstar player if he can maintain his motivation level, and stay injury-free. You know I will be seeing how this all plays out.
Changing gears, the Milwaukee Bucks won their first NBA championship in 50 years on Monday in a six-game series against the Phoenix Suns. They won the last four games in a row. In the last game, their superstar player Giannis Antetokounmpo scored an impressive 50 points to will his team to victory. He has an impressive personal story as well. He came from a very poor background in Greece to play in the NBA along with with his brother. He is likely the strongest man in the league. I am already looking forward to next season. Go 76ers!
