Guess what?!
(source: NBCNews.com)
The Summer Olympics are almost here!!!
Who’s excited?! Me! Me! Me!
I already have my DVR set to record all Olympic coverage on both NBC and MSBC over the next two weeks. Let’s just say it’s a good thing we recently upgraded to a DVR with extra storage space (because we’re crazy TV-aholics like that), I think we’re going to push the limits this month.
I heard something interesting while I was watching the Today Show on the treadmill this morning (30 minutes total with 3 minutes at 8.0 and 2 minutes at 4.0). Matt Lauer was interviewing Ryan Seacrest and asked his opinion on what sort of impact he believes social media will have on the summer games since this is the first summer games where social media will have such a huge presence.
When I first heard that question, my initial thought was “2008 wasn’t that long ago, surely social media was alive and well back then.” Which is true, it was, but not nearly as giant of a power house as it is today. During the last summer games all I had was a Facebook account and a phone that could only call and text people. I was reading blogs, but I wasn’t blogging yet. This summer Olympics I belong to more social networks than I can remember, I blog three times a day, my phone works harder than my computer, and Twitter delivers breaking news stories faster than any other traditional does. Things have changed.
It will be interesting to see how the summer Olympics are hyped up through social media this year, just as it’s interesting to see how they hype up any other major event or tv program in the world of social media. I plan to use it to get to know the athletes on a more personal level. I know for the last summer Olympics I loved reading the competitors’ bios on NBC.com, now I’m looking forward to following them on Twitter and seeing their journey develop through their own voice.
How do you think social media will impact the summer Olympics?
After the treadmill, I did FitFabCities.com “Perfect 10 Lean Legs Workout.” It’s definitely one that gets your legs movin’ and your heart pumpin’!
Breakfast was a cereal and yogurt mess.
- plain greek yogurt
- peach
- raspberries
- Kashi Blueberry Clusters
- Almond Vanilla Granola
- walnuts
Oh, wait. Did I say mess?
Here we go.
That’s what it really looks like when I eat it. 
Maddie says “Get to work!”
She’s the boss!
Laters.
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
Social media is so interesting! I’m already following a few athletes on twitter, and following them via twitter through the trials was unreal! It really helps build connections with the athletes, who will likely develop larger than normal fan bases. We can also show our support much more directly via twitter by simply tweeting “Good luck!” to any athlete! Craziness.
Kaitlyn @ Chocolate Running Shoes recently posted..Peachy Peachy Peach
I LOVE the summer Olympics too! Swimming and gymnastics are my favorite competitions to watch. What are your favorites? I’m so excited about the opening ceremony tomorrow night!!!
I’m looking forward to gymnastics, swimming, and the marathon, but I always find myself surprised on which sports bring me in.
I’m psyched for the Olympics. I work 3rd shift & always make sure I have the night of the Opening ceremony off
I’m looking forward to that, swimming & diving, gymnastics, tennis and track & field.
I was just telling a friend the same thing about my DVR this morning! She said she didn’t have it and I invited her over anytime to watch what she missed at my place!
Kayla @ Keep Moving Forward recently posted..Wednesday Workout
I’m super excited. I just posted on FB about it this morning. I looooovelovelove the Summer Olympics.
Jordan @ Bake Write Sleep recently posted..My cooking: Coconut macaroons.
It will be great for me because I don’t have a TV; it will help keep me updated!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats recently posted..Thursday Thoughts
Actually, competition began yesterday with women’s soccer. USA beat France 4-2, among other games. Today it is men’s soccer.
Lynna recently posted..Let the games begin…
I’m so pumped for the Olympics!!! I’ve been thinking a lot about the effects of social media on it actually. I really love watching on TV (especially swimming!) and I don’t like to find out any results before I have watched for myself. I’m really worried social media will ruin that element of surprise for me. I’m wondering if I should completely avoid Twitter during the Olympics so I don’t find out results before I see them!
I think Twitter is definitely going to be a huge force in the Olympics this year. I know some runners (like Shalane) have handles, so hopefully we’ll get some cool insight by following them.
Christine @ BookishlyB recently posted..Top Ten Tuesday- Where You At?
YAY!! I LOVE the Olympics!!
I want to follow all the athletes I love–off to find ‘em 
Annette @FitnessPerks recently posted..Whole Wheat Protein Zucchini Bread
I live in London so I’m extra excited about the Olympics! There’s such a great atmosphere in the city at the moment. I’ve got tickets to one of the athletics sessions, so I’ll get to see the men’s 1500 metres, 800 semis and women’s hurdles final live. Cannot wait!!
I am super excited about the Olympics!! I went to one of the torch relays on Tuesday and it got me so pumped for it. I am also lucky enough to have tickets to the Mens 100m qualifiers, Usain here I come! Commuting to work across London is not so delightful though.
I love to watch gymnastics, diving and the track events – so interesting!
It will be interesting to see the effects of social media – even looking at the winter Olympics 2 years ago I think you could see a bit of an impact. And social media has only gotten more powerful since then! I hope the people behind the Olympics take advantage of it.
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles recently posted..Back For Vengeance + A High-Protein Breakfast Recipe.
I am so excited for the Olympics! I’ve been reading some tweets by my favorite athletes about the voyage over to London. I can’t wait to read them as they get ready for their events. It’s neat to get that inside view of what they’re going through to prepare.
Beth (Running with the Sunrise) recently posted..Why I love the running community
I think social media will make a difference but just the media in general has been unlike anything I remember from previous Olympics. With the last ones being in China there was obviously not going to be as much coverage of things outside the events but in the UK at least we have had non-stop Olympics for months. The silliest little things that probably every previous event has had to deal with has been headline news here. God knows how many planning disasters we don’t know about for games before the age of internet and 24 hour news.
I am excited though. Think I scared the post man with my excitement when my tickets arrived!
I’m a huge social media junkie, and I’ve loved following the Olympics and a few athletes on Twitter. Being “connected” to them throughout training and trails has been so fun, and makes it that much more fun to cheer for someone who invests a little of their time to keep fans informed.
Allison @ Running Through Red Lights recently posted..The Versatile Blogger Award
It’s funny that you mention that particular part of that interview because I thought the same thing–was 2008 really that different for the social media scene? Yes! I didn’t have Twitter yet, and I probably checked FB maybe a couple times a week. Fast forward to today, and I’m on FB all the time, Tweeting, Instagramming, Pinning…I can’t wait to see how that changes my “Olympic experience.”
I’m so excited for the Olympics!!!
interesting read on the matter: http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2012/07/london-2012-the-thrills-and-agony-of-the-social-olympics-208.html
Sneakers2Sandals recently posted..Annie’s Strikes Again: Corn and Broccoli Quinoa Casserole
Ive never really been a huge fan of watching the Olympics but for some reason this year Im super excited for it.
Sara@RunningInPinkProject recently posted..Catching a Train