Who You Rooting For?

The XXX Olympiad

USA v. Australia

I have to admit I laughed while writing that title because it's not something I say too often because... well... American's usually don't know what I mean and it sounds a little suss, let's be honest :P

At the time of writing this blog, Australia was 11th with 1 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze and US was 2nd with 6 gold, 7 silver and 5 bronze. China is in the lead with 10 gold, 6 silver, 3 bronze (http://www.london2012.com/medals/medal-count/). We're only a couple of days in though (a week I just found out) and the Olympics goes for 2 1/2 weeks so nothing is set in stone yet.

I have to admit that I've never really considered myself super patriotic, especially when you see how patriotic a normal every day American is. Certainly makes me feel like I don't appreciate my country enough but I'm sure I'm not the only one to feel this way sometimes.

Since immigrating I've found myself feeling more patriotic. People immediately hear my accent, there is no hiding (though I must admit I personally enjoy my attempts at a "southerner" accent I don't think southerners would :P) and when you so often get asked whether you're happy to finally be in the US (like Australia is a horrid place to live) you start to get a little defensive and of course identify as a true-blue Aussie!

So now it's the Olympics, country against country. Bragging rights for an entire country for 4 years. A friend commented on my Facebook (FB) that I'm "American now" (not really, I'm just an LPR) so I should be supporting the US so it got me thinking, where do my sporting loyalties lie?

Well, here is my crazy girl over-analysis. If it was US v Australia I would barrack for Australia, hands down. If Australia wasn't in the running then I'd go for the US but I admit that I would prefer the US to NOT win if it means that Australia would be higher in the medal count. Crazy I know, but I just don't have the sporting loyalty built for the US yet. I'm doing my best though to watch the Olympics when other shows aren't more interesting and when my favourite sports are on because, like in Australia, the US tends to show sports they are competing in or have done well in at least. I figure this will help me build my sporting loyalty a bit. It's my first Olympics living in the US, of course I'm used to rooting for Australia (teeheehee).

So, what sports do you like to watch? (Here's the schedule and results: http://www.london2012.com/schedule-and-results/) Personally my faves are the gymnastics stuff (talk about high tension!), weightlifting (not sure why, maybe 'cause it's quick?), diving and swimming. The others are interesting just these are my faves :)

I have to admit I haven't seen too much hubbub about the Olympics here. Maybe I don't watch enough news or read enough papers but I've seen some sporting stuff in Walmart (Team USA stuff) but that's about it really. No-one at work talked about it. I don't hear people down the street talking about it... I personally didn't know when it started until my husband said something a month ago like "Olympics starts soon doesn't it?" and I realised that I had no idea. That said, those that ARE interested in it are 100% interested and going nuts with the support (which is how it should be).

Qns for readers ---
What are your favourites to watch?
If you're a fellow expat (no matter which countries are involved), who are you supporting?

GO AUSSIES!! :D