I was happy to make it home from work last night in time to see Team USA make their entrance during the opening of the Olympics. What I saw of the opening ceremonies was amazing. I loved the lighting of the Olympic cauldron, the way the leaves all came together. Stunning. The stadium and fireworks were so beautiful. What a great night for London and the world.
The Olympics always me spend time with more memories of my Grandfather, Jack Medica.
He grew up in Seattle. His swimming career took him around the world to many swim meets. Japan, Australia, Europe. His Olympic games were the 1936 games in Berlin. He took home the gold in the 400m freestyle and the silver in the 1500m and the 4x200m relay. He had world records that stood for 7 and 9 years. I wonder what he would think of the games today?
He passed away in 1985. I wish that he had stayed with us longer. I think I see some resemblance in this picture and I know that my height must come from him. I chose to go to Japan as an exchange student in 1983 since that was his favorite place that he visited. I miss you PopPop.
I hope to have some time to watch some events over the next couple of weeks and to do some stitching.
I am looking forward to seeing everyone's Olympic stitching! I love some of the events that I have seen on the other blogs.
As always, thanks for visiting and your kind comments.
Chris
22 comments:
hello deary, such a sweet post..i am so happy to know about your grandfather..
big hugs cucki xxx
Thanks for sharing about your grandfather Chris. That is really awesome.
Ok, that must be so cool having a grandfather who was an Olympian. Wow! And a medalist too! Thanks for telling us about him.
What a very special Grandfather! I see the resemblance in the first photo...
I flipped across the celebration when David Beckham was driving the boat in, and they stated that he was so delighted to have the Olympics (and all the restructure it brought) in the area where he grew up.
How neat that your grandpa was an Olympian, Chris!! Love the photo of him in the old-style swimsuit :)
The Olympics must be so special for you having a grandfather who was an Olympic champion.
amazing. I would have loved to hear about his impressions of the Berlin games. BTW, what a handsome man!!!
Linda
How wonderful your PopPop was an Olympian, and a medalist at that! Thanks for sharing your stories of him.
I didn't catch the whole ceremony but I thought the bit with James Bond and the Queen was priceless!
Have fun with your Olympic stitching!
Wow Your PopPop was an Olympian! How fabulous. I called one of my grandfathers PopPop to Chris:) I loved watching the opening ceremonies and I was stitching also. Thanks for sharing about your PopPop.
love Annette
I am so impressed, imagine having a grandfather who won Olympic medals. Not only that, to have world records stand for that long is such an achievement.
Hi Chris, How proud you must be of your Grandfather!!The SBA and I even stayed up till 12am to watch the opening ceremony!
How wonderful to have a gold medal Olympian in your family. Enjoy watching the events!
Thanks for sharing Chris , How lovely to read about your Grandpa, I think that is just wonderful. hugs
Wow..how awesome!!!!! Michael Phelps is from Baltimore, naturally I am looking forward to watching him.
What a neat story. I wonder what he thought about being in Germany t that time?
How cool to have an Olympian in the family. Love your photos. Nice memories for you.
Bobbi
Aww..thanks for sharing a bit of your grandfather with us. How proud you are...as you should be!!
:o)
How amazing that he won in 1936! Such history!! Thanks for sharing with us!
What a lovely tribute to your grandfather. It must have been interesting to hear what he thought of the Berlin games. I never watch any sports myself but could imagine that each Olympics that rolls around brings you many memories of him.
Hugs from Holland ~
Heidi
How amazing to have a personal link to the olympics. It must make it so special for you to know that he has a place in sporting history and so will never,ever be forgotten even by people who never met him. I am sure he is watching them alongside you. A beautiful post.
Love this post about your grandfather! How neat to have an Olympian in your family tree!
wow what a great thing. I have watched the olympics since i was a kid. A big fan. How great for you.
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