Preparing for the Olympic Games

June 25, 2012

I love to watch the Olympic Games, both the Summer Games and Winter Games. I especially enjoy watching the swimming, diving, and gymnastics during the Summer Games. But I know not everyone is as avid a fan as me, so here is some important information to know. This year, the Summer Games are being held in London, England. The Olympic Torch has been traveling around the United Kingdom since May 18, 2012. It will end when it lights up the Olympic Cauldron during the Opening Ceremony for the Games.

The Opening Ceremony will take place on July 27th, which is in less than 45 days. The different events will take place in various locations in and around London for 16 days. In order for the all the soccer tournament games to be played, they will start 2 days prior to the opening of the official Olympics. The last day of the Olympics will be on August 12th, which will include the last sporting events of the Games and the Closing Ceremony.

To get you ready to watch the Olympics and many of the different sporting events that will be taking place, here are some books to help you out:

Olympic History (FYI: all these books have pictures in them):

Swifter, Higher, Stronger: a Photographic History of the Summer Olympics
The Olympics: Unforgettable Moments of the Games
The Olympics: Athens to Athens 1896-2004
The Olympics: a History of the Modern Games
The Official History of the Olympic Games and the IOC: Athens to Beijing, 1894-2008

Sports:

American Hoops: U.S. Men's Olympic Basketball from Berlin to Beijing
American Men of Olympic Track and Field: Interviews with Athletes and Coaches

Other Interesting Books:

The Olympics' Most Wanted: the Top 10 Book of Gold Medal Gaffes, Improbable Triumphs, and Other Oddities
Olympic Facts and Fables: the Best Stories from the First Century of the Modern Olympics

Enjoy watching and following the Olympic Games!

Kristen G.
Red Bridge Branch