Mexico and the Olympics

We've been watching the Olympics from our living room in Torreón, and thus have had a taste of the Beijing Summer Games from the Mexican media viewpoint. Last night the big highlights here were men's diving and the men's triathlon. Mexico had a participant in each, and the announcers cheered them on heartily. Unfortunately, neither of them won a medal.

Mexicans greatly support the handful of athletes from their country who attend the Summer Games every four years. Since the country started sending athletes in 1900, it has won a total of 10 gold medals. The last of these came back in 2000 at the Sydney games. So far this year, the only medal Mexico has won was a bronze in women's synchronized diving (Go Paola Espinosa and Tatiana Ortiz! Read about it here).

Although Mexico did not win any medals in speed walking this year, it has often done well in the event in the past. I find it painful to watch, as it looks like the participants are straining to walk fast and not start sprinting. There are specific rules they must follow to make sure they do not actually run.

Watching the Olympics from Mexico has given us a different perspective on the games, and made us appreciate the meaning behind each medal. While it looks like Mexico will leave Beijing without a gold, there's always hope for the 2012 Summer Games.