As the swimmers walk out and take the plunge into the pool the crowd goes silent. Each swimmer positions themselves as the officials calls for them to take their mark. A single beep sounds and cheers explode from the stands as the swimmers explode off the walls. So many thoughts and emotions were filling junior Julia Cook’s head as she stood on the swimmer’s block staring down at the water. For Julia, everything was on the line. Competing in the 2016 Olympic trials in Omaha, Nebraska in both the 100 and 200 meter backstroke set the stage for college and a potential future as Olympic swimmer.

When the Olympics come around, a majority of viewers only watch the events they care about and enjoy watching. For some, they watch a sport that they used to play or an intense game that gets their adrenaline pumping just by watching it. For others, they watch to feel in the loop while around the water cooler or at the lunch table. No matter what our reasons are for watching the Olympics, the Games always seem to bring about a heightened sense of nationalism, an interest in new sports, and a newly acquired passion for athletics.