Repeat - 40

Podcast #40 The 2008 Olympics

China was the host country for the 2008 Olympics. The effort made to prepare Beijing for the Olympics was massive. The cost was close to $50 billion. One big issue was air quality. Some factories had to stop operating. Automobile traffic came under strict controls. The efforts seem to have succeeded. The training for Olympic competition is rigorous. It is a years-long commitment made by the competitors and their families alike. For example, a teenage swimmer has to be driven to daily practice at 5 in the morning. Families adapt their schedules and budgets to support young athletes. Everyone feels a thrill when a fellow countryman wins an Olympic medal. In the Olympics big countries and rich countries have an automatic advantage. In a sense, competitors from smaller and poorer countries are the true heroes. One thing I don’t like is the television coverage in the United States. Commercials and commentary take up at least half the time. I usually end up recording the broadcast so I can skip over the parts I don’t like. To be honest, I can only watch so many dives before I nod off. As you can probably tell, I am not a fanatic about sports. Is it possible that love of sports is a genetic variable?

China was the host country for the 2008 Olympics.

China was host to the 2008 Olympic games.

The effort made to prepare Beijing for the Olympics was massive.

A massive effort was made to prepare Beijing for the Olympics.

The cost was close to $50 billion.

The expense was in the neighborhood of $50 billion.

One big issue was air quality.

One of the biggest challenges was air quality.

Some factories had to stop operating.

Some factories had to suspend operations.

Automobile traffic came under strict controls.

Strict controls were imposed on automobile traffic.

The efforts seem to have succeeded.

The efforts seem to have been a success.

The training for Olympic competition is rigorous.

Competing in the Olympics requires rigorous training.

It is a years-long commitment made by the competitors and their families alike.

The families of the competitors share in the years-long commitment.

For example, a teenage swimmer has to be driven to daily practice at 5 in the morning.

For instance, a teenage swimmer has to be given a ride to daily practice at 5 a.m.

Families adapt their schedules and budgets to support young athletes.

Families adjust their schedules and budgets in the support of young athletes.

Everyone feels a thrill when a fellow countryman wins an Olympic medal.

It is thrilling to see someone from your own country win an Olympic medal.

In the Olympics big countries and rich countries have an automatic advantage.

In the Olympics big and rich countries automatically have an advantage.

In a sense, competitors from smaller and poorer countries are the true heroes.

In a way, it is competitors from smaller and poorer countries who are the true heroes.

One thing I don't like is the television coverage in the United States.

One thing that rubs me the wrong way is the TV coverage in the U.S.

Commercials and commentary take up at least half the time.

The commercials and commentary account for half the time at a minimum.

I usually end up recording the broadcast so I can skip over the parts I don't like.

I usually end up taping the broadcast so I can skip the stuff that annoys me.

To be honest, I can only watch so many dives before I nod off.

To be candid, after watching fifteen or so dives I am ready for a nap.

As you can probably tell, I am not a fanatic about sports.

As you have probably figured out, I am not a sports fanatic.

Is it possible that love of sports is a genetic variable?

I wonder whether there is a genetic marker for love of sports.